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DC Gun Permit Process Slashed to Five Days

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Gun (Pixabay via Canva Pro)

The timeline for acquiring a gun permit in Washington, D.C., has been reduced from several months to just days, part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to combat violent crime in the nation’s capital.

FOX News reported that both the concealed carry permitting process and firearm registration process have been drastically shortened. The change follows directives from the “Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force,” which has been working with local officials to remove bureaucratic hurdles.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told FOX News that the task force’s efforts successfully reduced the average processing time for permits from months to only five days. “President Trump is not only stopping violent crime in Washington, D.C., he is also streamlining the permitting process for law-abiding residents who want the ability to protect themselves and their families,” Rogers said.

The administration’s push to accelerate the process began before the most recent federal crackdown on crime in D.C. On March 31, 2025, the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) reported that President Trump had signed an executive order creating the task force. The order instructed the group to “collaborate with appropriate local government entities to provide assistance to increase the speed and lower the cost of processing concealed carry license requests in the District of Columbia.”

The changes come as part of a multi-pronged strategy to restore order and safety in the capital, which has faced rising crime rates in recent years. Supporters argue that faster access to concealed carry permits will allow law-abiding citizens to better protect themselves, while opponents have raised concerns about the potential for increased firearm presence in public spaces.

Lula Clashes with Trump Over Tariffs, Bolsonaro

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Radical leftist Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva escalated tensions with the United States on Thursday, accusing President Donald Trump of lying about Brazil’s trade record and vowing that his country would not “bow down” to Washington. Lula’s remarks came during an official event in Recife, hours after Trump criticized Brazil’s high tariffs and the ongoing prosecution of conservative former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Trump had told reporters at the Oval Office that Brazil was “one of the worst countries on earth” in terms of trade fairness, charging “tremendous tariffs” while the U.S. charged little in return. He also blasted Lula’s government for what he described as the “political execution” of Bolsonaro, calling the former president “an honest man” and condemning efforts to imprison him.

Lula rejected Trump’s claims, insisting that the U.S. enjoys trade profits with Brazil and labeling Trump’s statements as false. He accused Trump of spreading “lies” and asserted that Brazil’s sovereignty rests solely with its people. Lula also drew parallels between Trump and Bolsonaro, claiming both men cast doubt on election results and would face trial in Brazil for similar actions.

Bolsonaro, who narrowly lost to Lula in Brazil’s contentious 2022 election, is accused of plotting to overturn the results. Brazilian prosecutors allege he played a “central role” in the January 8, 2023, unrest, when his supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília. No fatalities occurred, and Bolsonaro was in the U.S. at the time.

In July, Trump signed an executive order identifying Brazil as a national security threat and imposing 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian imports, citing both unfair trade practices and Bolsonaro’s prosecution. The tariffs took effect in early August. Despite Trump saying Lula could “call anytime,” the Brazilian leader has refused, claiming it would be a humiliation.

Major Store Pulls Abortion Drug from Shelves

Abortion Pill
Pills (Unsplash)

Costco announced that it will no longer offer the abortion pill mifepristone at its stores.

The chain said in a statement to Reuters that demand for the pill has decreased. “Our position at this time not to sell mifepristone, which has not changed, is based on the lack of demand from our members and other patients, who we understand generally have the drug dispensed by their medical providers,” Costco said.

Alliance Defending Freedom legal counsel Micahel Ross told Newsweek that stores removing the pill from their shelves are “doing the right thing.”

“We applaud Costco for doing the right thing by its shareholders and resisting activist calls to sell abortion drugs. Retailers like Costco keep their doors open by selling a lifetime of purchases to families, both large and small,” Ross said. “They have nothing to gain and much to lose by becoming abortion dispensaries.”

“Retail pharmacies exist to serve the health and wellness of their customers, but abortion drugs like mifepristone undermine that mission by putting women’s health at risk,” Ross explained. “We’re honored to work alongside the many like-minded partners who made this moment possible—including Inspire Investing and public officials like state financial officers, who put the deeply held values and fiduciary needs of their clients first and simply call upon the companies they own to do the same.”

A spokesperson for New York City Comptroller Brad Lander criticized the decision, telling Bloomberg that Costco’s move is “disappointing and short-sighted.”

A recent study released by the Ethics and Public Policy Center found that 1 in 10 women who take mifepristone to induce abortions experience severe complications, a number at least 22 times as high as reported on the drug’s label.



Vikings Backlash Erupts Over Male Cheerleaders

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The Minnesota Vikings are standing firm after facing heavy criticism for adding two male cheerleaders to their 2025 Minnesota Vikings Cheer (MVC) squad. In a statement to Newsweek, the team defended the decision, noting that male cheerleaders have been part of past Vikings teams and are common in collegiate and professional cheerleading.

“While many fans may be seeing male cheerleaders for the first time at Vikings games, male cheerleaders have long been associated with cheerleading at multiple levels,” the team said. “We support all our cheerleaders and are proud of the role they play as ambassadors of the organization.”

The controversy erupted after the Vikings posted a video introducing the 2025 squad, featuring male cheerleader Louie Conn front and center. The backlash intensified when a second male cheerleader, Blaize Shiek, announced his selection to the team on social media. Fans voiced displeasure online, with some calling the move “woke” and threatening to stop supporting the franchise. Actor Kevin Sorbo was among those saying he might find a new team to follow.

Team officials emphasized that roughly one-third of NFL teams now have male cheerleaders, and that all MVC members went through the same rigorous audition process. Selections, they said, were based on talent, passion for dance, and commitment to enhancing the game day experience.

Both Conn and Shiek have responded to the criticism. Conn’s mother told the Star Tribune her son has “more bravery in his little finger than most people.” Shiek wrote on Instagram that he hopes to inspire children by showing them “this is an option,” adding that he is “grateful for the opportunity to make a little history.”

Kennedy Reinstates Childhood Vaccine Safety Panel

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COVID-19 Vaccine (Photo by Morsa Images/Getty Images)

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday the reinstatement of the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines—one day before he was due to respond to a lawsuit alleging he failed to create the panel as required by law.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress established the task force to improve the safety, quality, and oversight of vaccines administered to American children. The panel is mandated under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 and must include the directors of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. The law also requires biennial progress reports to Congress.

NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya said the reinstatement “reaffirms our commitment to rigorous science, continuous improvement, and the trust of American families,” adding that NIH is proud to lead efforts to ensure vaccine safety without compromise. The original task force was disbanded in 1998.

Attorney Ray Flores filed suit in May, claiming Kennedy had failed to fulfill the statutory requirement since taking office. The lawsuit noted that in over 35 years, no HHS secretary had reported to Congress on steps taken to improve childhood vaccine safety. Flores argued that Kennedy’s grace period to correct his predecessors’ failures had ended, given that more than 100 days had passed since President Donald Trump appointed him to lead HHS.

Kennedy himself had sought similar records prior to joining the Trump administration, suing in 2018 to obtain task force reports before dismissing the case when HHS said none could be found. Flores indicated Thursday that he expects to seek dismissal of the current case without prejudice if the reinstatement meets agreed terms.

Trump Issues Thanks After Belarus Releases 16 Prisoners

Belarus President
(Photo by Sergey Guneev/Host Photo Agency/Ria Novosti via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump thanked Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko for the release of 16 prisoners, urging him to release an additional 1,300 prisoners.

“I had a wonderful talk with the highly respected President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko. The purpose of the call was to thank him for the release of 16 prisoners. We are also discussing the release of 1,300 additional prisoners,” Trump wrote. “Our conversation was a very good one. We discussed many topics, including President Putin’s visit to Alaska. I look forward to meeting President Lukashenko in the future. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Lukashenko issued pardons for the 16 prisoners in July.

In February, the United States welcomed the release of a U.S. citizen who was “unjustly detained” in Belarus.

“President Trump’s strong leadership has led to the release of an American unjustly detained in Belarus and two political prisoners. I want to particularly thank the Lithuanian government for its cooperation and assistance – they remain a true ally and friend,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the time. “I also want to thank my team in Consular Affairs, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs for all the hard work that went into securing these releases. We remain committed to the release of other U.S. citizens in Belarus and elsewhere. We call for the release of nearly 1,300 political prisoners who remain in jail across Belarus.”

The release came as the Trump administration has prioritized securing the freedom of Americans detained overseas.

Federal Workforce Cuts Surge Under Trump

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The federal government is on track to cut roughly 300,000 civilian employees by the end of 2025, marking a 12.5% reduction in staffing since January, according to Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. He told Reuters Thursday that 80% of departures are expected to be voluntary, while the remaining 20% will result from firings.

The U.S. civilian federal workforce currently numbers about 2.4 million, excluding 1.3 million active-duty military personnel and approximately 600,000 U.S. Postal Service employees. A 2024 Pew Research report noted that the federal government employed 1.87% of the entire civilian labor force when including postal workers, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The workforce reduction fulfills a key promise from President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda to streamline government operations. Upon taking office, Trump launched the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed initially by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. The initiative aimed to eliminate waste, cut regulations, and shrink the size of the federal workforce.

Trump compared DOGE’s mission to the “Manhattan Project” in terms of urgency and scale. While Musk originally pledged to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, he later adjusted the goal to $1 trillion. By April, Musk reported that DOGE was on track to save $150 billion. Musk has since left the role following a public dispute with the president.

Some federal employee unions have challenged the cuts in court, arguing they threaten government services and workers’ rights. Several of these disputes remain unresolved. The administration, however, maintains that the reductions are essential to creating a leaner, more effective federal government.

Georgia Shooting with Stolen Guns Sparks Red Flag Push

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Gun control activists are using the August 8, 2025, shooting near Emory University to renew calls for a statewide red flag law in Georgia. The attack, carried out with stolen firearms, left DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose dead before the suspect, identified as Patrick Joseph White, took his own life.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), White allegedly opened fire on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offices near the university campus. GBI Director Chris Hosey stated that the firearms used in the attack were stolen from a safe belonging to White’s father. Investigators believe White broke into the safe before carrying out the shooting.

Despite the fact that the weapons were stolen, some gun control advocates argue that a red flag law—allowing authorities to temporarily seize firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others—could help prevent similar tragedies. Critics note, however, that such laws generally target legal gun owners and would not prevent someone from stealing firearms from another person, as occurred in this case.

The proposed legislation is part of a broader push by national gun control groups to expand red flag laws across the country. Supporters claim the measures give law enforcement a proactive tool to intervene before violence occurs. Opponents counter that red flag laws undermine due process, disproportionately impact lawful gun owners, and fail to address the root causes of violence, especially in cases involving stolen or illegally obtained firearms.

Georgia currently has no red flag law in place. Any proposed legislation would likely face strong opposition from Second Amendment advocates, who argue that existing laws against theft, burglary, and murder already address criminal acts like those committed in the Emory University shooting.

Clinton Open to Nominating Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Vital Voices Global Partnership)

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she would nominate President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize if he ends the war in Ukraine.

“I understand that [Trump] would very much like to win the Nobel Peace Prize,” Clinton told “Raging Moderates” podcast host Jessica Tarlov. “And honestly, if he could bring about the end to this terrible war where Putin is the aggressor invading a neighbor country, trying to change the borders, if he could end it without putting Ukraine in a position where it had to concede its territory to the aggressor [or] had to, in a way, validate Putin’s vision of greater Russia, but instead could really stand up to Putin…which is something we haven’t seen, but maybe this is the opportunity — to make it clear that there must be a ceasefire, there will be no exchange of territory, and the over a period of [time], Putin should be actually withdrawing from the territory he seized in order to demonstrate his good faith efforts not to threaten European security.”

“If President Trump were the architect of that, I’d nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize,” she said.

Trump has received several nominations for a Nobel Peace Prize, including by Cambodia, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA).

“I write to formally nominate Donald J. Trump, the 47th President of the United States, for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his extraordinary and historic role in brokering an end to the armed conflict between Israel and Iran and preventing the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism from obtaining the most lethal weapon on the planet,” Carter wrote in a June letter to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee.

Sweden Mosque Shooting Injures Two in Gang Feud

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A shooting outside a mosque in central Sweden on Friday left two people injured, with police suspecting the attack was tied to ongoing gang violence. The incident occurred in the city of Örebro in the early afternoon shortly after Friday prayers, according to local authorities. Emergency services responded quickly, and police advised residents to avoid the area while the investigation unfolded.

Authorities have not released specific details about the condition of the injured individuals but confirmed that a preliminary investigation into attempted murder is underway. Officials believe the shooting is connected to local gang conflicts, a problem that has plagued Sweden for years. Police have increased patrols in the area in an effort to prevent further violence and reassure the public.

Örebro, like several other Swedish cities, has faced rising tensions fueled by gang rivalries. According to local news outlet TV4, two rival gangs in the city have been engaged in disputes in recent weeks, heightening the risk of violent confrontations. Investigators are now working to determine whether this latest shooting is a direct result of that feud.

Sweden has struggled with escalating gang-related crime over the past decade, with shootings and bombings becoming more frequent. Many of these gangs recruit teenagers from disadvantaged immigrant neighborhoods, using them to carry out violent attacks. Authorities have warned that such recruitment fuels a cycle of crime that is difficult to break.

The Swedish government has introduced tougher penalties for gang-related offenses and expanded police powers in an effort to combat organized crime. Despite these measures, gang violence remains a persistent threat, particularly in urban areas. The Örebro shooting underscores the challenges facing law enforcement as they try to curb violence and protect communities from further bloodshed.

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