Roger Bart, use your skills fortuitously

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the death of Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as "Abu Khadija," the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, killed in a joint operation by Iraqi national intelligence service and U.S.-led coalition forces. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the news on social media, praising the operation that terminated al-Rifai's "miserable life." The operation, conducted in Al Anbar Province, also resulted in the death of another...

An outbreak of wildfires fueled by dry conditions and hurricane-force winds spread across the Texas Panhandle and parts of Oklahoma, prompting evacuations, causing road havoc, and leaving thousands without power. The fires destroyed homes in Oklahoma, resulting in at least three deaths in Texas. Emergency crews struggled to contain the rapidly developing blazes, with the greatest concentration in east-central Oklahoma. Evacuation orders were issued in Stillwater, Oklahoma, as fires spread into populated areas, while dangerous...

The Trump administration is considering implementing a new travel ban targeting citizens from as many as 43 countries, including a "red" list of 11 countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and Venezuela to be outright barred from entering the United States. Additionally, an "orange" list of 10 countries would face travel restrictions with mandatory in-person interviews for visa applicants, such as Belarus and Pakistan. The State Department has been tasked with identifying countries with deficient vetting information,...

An appeals court lifted a block on executive orders by President Trump seeking to end government support for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, allowing them to be enforced as a lawsuit unfolds. The court found that the orders could eventually raise concerns about First Amendment rights but ruled that the nationwide injunction was too broad. The orders, which target DEI programs, had been challenged for being unconstitutional and discouraging support for diversity initiatives. Full Article

The NWSL Boston-based expansion team has decided to change its name after facing backlash from the transgender community due to a marketing campaign featuring the slogan "Too Many Balls." The team, originally set to be named BOS Nation FC, quickly abandoned the slogan and issued a public apology, thanking those who spoke out against it. The team's majority owner expressed gratitude to supporters for their feedback, emphasizing a commitment to creating a welcoming environment for...

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is back on the road to engage with voters after last year's election loss, focusing on town halls in competitive Republican-held congressional districts. He called for elected officials to listen to the concerns of Americans and held a successful event in Iowa's 3rd congressional district. Walz is not currently a candidate, but is reemerging to address issues such as health care, financial aid, and veterans' funding, aiming to understand why some...