Trump Will Not Let Israel Annex West Bank

September 26, 2025

Trump order — (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump told reporters on September 25 that he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.

“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. No, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,“ he said, adding, “Whether I spoke to him or not, I did, but I’m not allowing Israel to annex the West Bank. There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”

This week, President Trump met with the leaders of Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to a statement from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussion “focused on ending the ongoing bloody war in Gaza, reaching a sustainable and lasting ceasefire, securing the release of all hostages and detainees, and taking decisive steps towards addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis facing civilians in the Gaza Strip.”

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told reporters following the meeting: “What I can say about the meeting with President Trump, which I think was a very important meeting, is that the Arab and Muslim countries made very clear to the president the danger of annexation of any type in the West Bank and the risks that it poses not just to the potential of peace in Gaza, but also to any sustainable peace at all.”

“And I feel confident that President Trump understood the position of the Arab and Muslim countries, and I think the president in the U.S. understands very well the risks and dangers of annexation in the West Bank,” he added.

Teen Plastic Surgery Tragedy: 14-Year-Old Dies After Secret Breast Implants and Butt Lift

September 26, 2025

access to medical care: wall-mounted panel of medical diagnostic equipment beside standard patient examination chair — medical equipment in doctor’s examination room. Credit: Catherine McQueen

A teen plastic surgery tragedy in Mexico has shocked parents worldwide after 14-year-old Paloma Nicole Arellano Escobedo died from complications following a breast augmentation and butt lift carried out without her father’s knowledge.

The teen fell into a coma after the procedures, suffering brain swelling and heart problems before dying in a Durango hospital. Initially, her father, Carlos Arellano, was told she had succumbed to Covid-19. But at her funeral, relatives noticed physical changes. When Arellano confronted his ex-wife, she denied any surgery. He later examined his daughter’s body with family members and found surgical scars and implants. “Sure enough: she had breast implants. We have photographs of the implants and the scars. We immediately requested an autopsy,” he said.

Prosecutors are now investigating the girl’s mother and her boyfriend, a 45-year-old plastic surgeon identified as Víctor “N,” who performed the operations. His license has been suspended, and authorities are probing possible negligent homicide. Durango Attorney General Yadira de la Garza Fragoso stated, “We are investigating a probable lack of care on the part of the mother… placing a minor who was under her care and custody in risky situations.”

While Mexico has no strict age limit for cosmetic surgery, procedures typically require both parents’ consent for minors. In this case, the father was kept entirely in the dark.

The tragedy underscores the growing dangers of a culture that normalizes cosmetic procedures for children. Carlos Arellano has launched a campaign with the slogan “girls don’t need implants,” a powerful reminder that parental rights and children’s safety must come before reckless vanity.

NJ Dem Gov Candidate Mikie Sherrill Caught in Historic Naval Academy Cheating Scandal

September 26, 2025

New revelations in a Naval Academy scandal have rocked New Jersey politics as Democratic congresswoman and gubernatorial hopeful Mikie Sherrill faces new scrutiny over her past. Records show Sherrill was barred from walking at her 1994 U.S. Naval Academy graduation after being implicated in one of the school’s largest cheating scandals, which involved 130 midshipmen.

Sherrill’s name was left off the official commencement program, according to documents obtained by the New Jersey Globe. When pressed, Sherrill admitted she was punished but tried to frame it as a matter of loyalty: “I didn’t turn in some of my classmates, so I didn’t walk, but graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy, serving for nearly ten years with the highest level of distinction and honor.”

However, Sherrill has refused to authorize the release of her sealed disciplinary records — a decision that only fuels speculation about what really happened. For voters, this raises troubling questions: Was she protecting classmates, or herself?

The scandal speaks to a broader pattern in Democratic politics — leaders who preach transparency but hide their own past misdeeds.

As Sherrill runs for governor, New Jerseyans deserve honesty. Instead, they are left with secrecy and spin surrounding a candidate who wants to lead their state

James Comey Indicted on Two Counts

September 26, 2025

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on two counts, one for making false statements and one for obstructing justice.

Trump reacted to Comey’s indictment in a statement on Truth Social. “Whether you like Corrupt James Comey or not, and I can’t imagine too many people liking him, HE LIED! It is not a complex lie, it’s a very simple, but IMPORTANT one,” Trump wrote. “There is no way he can explain his way out of it. He is a Dirty Cop, and always has been, but he was just assigned a Crooked Joe Biden appointed Judge, so he’s off to a very good start. Nevertheless, words are words, and he wasn’t hedging or in dispute.”

“He was very positive, there was no doubt in his mind about what he said, or meant by saying it. He left himself ZERO margin of error on a big and important answer to a question,” he continued. “He just got unexpectedly caught. James ‘Dirty Cop’ Comey was a destroyer of lives. He knew exactly what he was saying, and that it was a very serious and far reaching lie for which a very big price must be paid! President DJT”

Comey said that he is “not afraid,” urging Americans to “vote like your beloved country depends upon it, which it does.”

He went on to assert that he is innocent. “My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I’m innocent, so let’s have a trial and keep the faith,” he said.

The former FBI director’s son-in-law, Troy Edwards, has also resigned from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Clerical Error Sparks Manhunt After Accused Killer Walks Free

September 26, 2025

A clerical error in Multnomah County, Oregon ignited a citywide manhunt after prosecutors say accused murderer Ty Anthony Sage walked free despite a judge’s order denying bail. The mistake forced officers to scramble, neighbors to worry, and a grieving family back into fear.

Authorities say a Sept. 17 release form incorrectly set bail at $5,000 and allowed Sage to post bond. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the problem: “We hold the ultimate responsibility for a person’s release from custody.” Sheriff Nicole Morissey O’Donnell called the episode an “isolated incident,” but that label offers little comfort to the victim’s family.

For four years, Jodie Ramsey lived with the aftermath of her son’s death. “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for the last four years,” she said. Ramsey blasted officials: “it’s a major mess up, it’s a monumental mistake that should have never occurred.” She described the raw fear she now feels: “Very fearful, very fearful, it’s going to be a constant fear for me until he is back in custody, because he is [out of] custody doing God knows what.”

New Virus Strain Sparks Fear in 9 States as Health Officials Remain Vigilant

September 26, 2025

NIH transgender animal experiments — CDC/Unsplash

A new virus strain is spiking in nine U.S. states, raising familiar concerns as health officials revive the same playbook of fear that defined the last pandemic. The XFG variant, known as Stratus, has been labeled a “SATS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring” after spreading to 38 countries by June, according to the World Health Organization.

The CDC’s wastewater tracking has already named Stratus the “predominant variant,” with infections rising in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Vermont, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and both Dakotas. Stratus reportedly mutated to better evade the immune system, though even Stony Brook Medicine admits the change is “marginal” and should “not be a concern for most people.”

Despite this, government agencies are again promoting restrictions and mask use—measures Americans now view with skepticism. After years of heavy-handed mandates, many conservatives argue that citizens, not bureaucrats, should decide how to handle their health.

Most cases remain mild for vaccinated individuals, and symptoms range from fatigue and fever to shortness of breath, sore throat, or brain fog. Experts caution about serious fevers lasting more than three days but also note that typical treatment includes over-the-counter remedies.

Arizona Election Manual Lawsuit Backed by Honest Elections Project

September 25, 2025

American Flags — American flag (David Everett Strickler/Unsplash)

The Honest Elections Project has filed an amicus brief supporting a Republican lawsuit against Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) over his handling of the state’s Election Procedures Manual. At issue is whether Fontes violated state law by limiting the public comment period to just 15 days instead of the 30 required under Arizona’s Administrative Procedures Act.

The Republican National Committee, the Republican Party of Arizona, and the Yavapai County Republican Party filed the lawsuit in 2023, arguing that Fontes’ actions made the manual invalid. A Maricopa County Superior Court initially dismissed the case, but in March the Arizona Court of Appeals reversed the decision, finding that Fontes failed to comply with procedural requirements. Fontes has since appealed to the Arizona Supreme Court, which will hear arguments on October 14.

The Honest Elections Project, a nonprofit focused on election integrity, emphasized in its filing that public trust in elections depends on transparency. “Elections are the lifeblood of democracy,” the group stated, warning that when rules lack fairness and proper oversight, results are “viewed with suspicion” and risk fueling “chaos and government instability.”

Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project, said Arizona law clearly requires 30 days for public comment on administrative actions, including election rules. “Fontes can’t create election rules as he goes,” Snead said. “He must follow the proper rule-making process, like any other state agency.”

The brief argued that the Election Procedures Manual is one of the most consequential regulatory documents in Arizona, shaping how elections are conducted statewide. By failing to follow the law, the group contends, Fontes undermined both the process and public confidence in election administration.

The case underscores ongoing battles over election integrity in Arizona, where disputes over procedures, ballot security, and transparency remain front-line political issues. If the state Supreme Court upholds the appellate ruling, Fontes could be barred from enforcing the 2023 manual until he restarts the rule-making process in full compliance with state law.

Trump Administration Prepares Federal Cuts as Shutdown Looms

September 25, 2025

With less than a week until the federal government runs out of funding, Republicans and Democrats remain at an impasse over a new spending agreement. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is signaling that a shutdown could become an opportunity to permanently shrink the federal workforce.

A leaked memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) outlines how agencies should prepare for a shutdown. It advises federal departments to “use this opportunity” to identify positions in programs, projects, and activities “not consistent with the President’s priorities” that could be cut under a Reduction in Force (RIF). Once new appropriations are passed, OMB instructs agencies to retain only the “minimal number of employees necessary to carry out statutory functions.”

The plan builds on nine months of Trump administration efforts to reduce federal bureaucracy. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has already announced a 40% workforce reduction, the State Department has planned a 15% cut, and the Department of Education is preparing to eliminate 1,400 positions.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) blasted the memo, calling it “an attempt at intimidation” while reaffirming Democrats’ willingness to force a shutdown if their spending demands are not met.

At the center of the standoff are competing short-term funding resolutions. Republicans passed a clean Continuing Resolution in the House to extend funding through November 21, with added security for lawmakers. Democrats countered with their own CR that includes healthcare-related policy provisions costing as much as $1.4 trillion.

House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said Democrats’ proposal amounted to a “ransom note,” warning that their demands were not serious negotiations but an attempt at extortion. “House Republicans acted and passed a clean resolution to keep the government open,” Cole said. “Democrats are demanding extraneous provisions and more than $1 trillion in new spending for just four weeks of government funding.”

President Donald Trump canceled a scheduled meeting with Democratic leaders on Tuesday, saying negotiations could not be productive under the current terms. Political markets now place the odds of a shutdown at 75%.

Starbucks Layoffs Store Closures in $1B Restructuring Plan

September 25, 2025

Starbucks announced Thursday that it will lay off 900 corporate employees and close hundreds of stores across North America as part of a sweeping $1 billion restructuring plan. The decision, unveiled by CEO Brian Niccol in a letter to employees, marks the second round of layoffs since he took over the company in August 2024.

Earlier this year, Starbucks cut 1,100 headquarters jobs as part of its effort to restructure operations and refocus resources on frontline retail. Niccol explained that the latest decision is “grounded in putting our resources closest to the customer so we can create great coffeehouses, offer world-class customer service, and grow the business.”

As part of the restructuring, Starbucks will close roughly 1% of its North American stores, reducing its footprint from 18,734 locations in June to about 18,300. At the same time, the company says it will upgrade more than 1,000 stores over the next year to create “greater texture, warmth, and layered design.”

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Starbucks estimated restructuring costs at $1 billion, including $850 million for closures and remodeling and $150 million for employee separation packages. Corporate employees affected by the layoffs will be notified Friday and will receive severance pay, extended benefits, and support services.

Two high-profile closures are planned in Starbucks’ home city of Seattle: the Capitol Hill Roastery and the Reserve store in the SoDo neighborhood. The Roastery had been unionized, but Starbucks said union status did not factor into its decision to shutter the location.

The restructuring follows Starbucks’ July 2024 mandate that corporate employees relocate near Seattle and work in person four days per week. The move, company leaders argued, was designed to strengthen culture and improve performance after years of lagging sales and rising costs.

Niccol defended the cuts as part of a long-term plan to stabilize and expand the business. “I believe these steps are necessary to build a better, stronger, and more resilient Starbucks that deepens its impact on the world and creates more opportunities for our partners, suppliers, and the communities we serve,” he wrote.

Poll Shows Dead Heat in New Jersey Governor’s Race as Trump Backs Ciattarelli

September 25, 2025

A new Emerson College poll shows Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill in a statistical tie for New Jersey governor, highlighting what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races of 2025. The survey, conducted September 22–23 among 935 likely voters, found both candidates at 43 percent, with 11 percent undecided and three percent backing another option.

President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Ciattarelli, promoted the poll on Truth Social, praising the Republican candidate as “tough on crime and cutting taxes.” Trump added that Ciattarelli “will be a GREAT Governor,” while blasting Sherrill for supporting “Open Borders, men playing in Women’s Sports, Transgender for everyone, and all of the things that almost DESTROYED America.”

The tight polling comes after a sharp debate earlier this month. Ciattarelli promised not to raise the sales tax and pledged to lower income and property taxes. He also accused Sherrill of violating congressional disclosure rules on stock trades in defense and technology firms, citing reports from the New York Times and Business Insider. Sherrill denied wrongdoing and defended her record, vowing instead to “drive down your cost at every level.”

Ciattarelli has picked up bipartisan momentum with endorsements from several former Democrats. Garfield Mayor Everett Garnto, Jr., a retired police officer, recently switched parties and endorsed him, calling the state “broken” under Democrat leadership. Former Assemblyman Jamel Holley also backed Ciattarelli, calling his campaign “the right way forward.”

Labor has also shifted toward Ciattarelli. In June, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, representing more than 7,000 workers, endorsed him, citing his support for natural gas projects and criticizing Sherrill’s emphasis on solar energy. “Ciattarelli understands New Jersey,” union leader Greg Lalevee said, pointing to affordability concerns.

On foreign policy, Ciattarelli has aligned closely with Trump, supporting the president’s June strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as “the right move” to counter a “grave threat to Israel.”

While a June National Research Inc. poll showed Sherrill ahead by three points, dissatisfaction with New Jersey’s direction remains high, with 54 percent saying the state is on the wrong track—a figure that favors Ciattarelli. He nearly unseated Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021, losing by just three points, and now appears positioned to compete strongly with independents and disaffected Democrats in 2025.

With undecided voters still in double digits, the race is set to become a top battleground in the upcoming election cycle.