Trump Signs Order to Verify Mail-In Ballots Used by Eligible Voters

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President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening signed an executive order focused on election integrity, including a measure to ensure that mail-in ballots are sent to eligible voters and returned by them.

Trump signed the order in the Oval Office while flanked by White House staff secretary Will Scharf and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The Daily Caller’s Reagan Reese first reported that Trump was set to sign the order.

Scharf detailed the measures ahead of the signing.

“We’re going to take federal data, we’re going to ensure that each state’s election officials are provided with a comprehensive view of who the eligible voters in their jurisdiction actually are, allowing them to properly verify that everybody voting in their elections is legally able to vote,’ Scharf said of the first measure.

Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, in tandem with the Social Security Administration, is tasked with establishing “State Citizenship Lists” for each state. The lists will include U.S. citizens residing in that state who will be at least 18 at the time of the next federal election. (Read more from “Trump Signs Order to Verify Mail-In Ballots Used by Eligible Voters” HERE)

‘Manifestly Unreasonable’: Israeli Police Block Catholic Cardinal From Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass At Christ’s Tomb

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Israel Bars Catholic Officials from Praying at Holy Site, Outraging US Ambassador Mike Huckabee

By New York Post. Israel barred Catholic officials from privately praying at a historic Jerusalem church for the first time in centuries over security concerns involving the war — sparking outcry from US Ambassador Mike Huckabee.

Catholic higher-ups were already told they could not hold Mass at the city’s famed Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and buried, on the Palm Sunday.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem, and Father Francesco Ielpo, who oversees the sacred site, as well as two other priests were then on their way to the church for private prayer when they were halted by Israeli police early Sunday, Catholic officials said.

While Huckabee said it is reasonable for large gatherings to be put on pause amid Iran’s retaliatory bombardments, the US ambassador to Israel contended it is unacceptable for Israeli police to stop the four clergymen from making their own private visit to the church in Jersualem’s Old City.

“The action today by the Israel Nat’l Police to deny Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and 3 other priests from entering the Church to offer a blessing on Palm Sunday is an unfortunate overreach already having major repercussions around the world,” Huckabee wrote on X. (Read more from “Israel Bars Catholic Officials from Praying at Holy Site, Outraging US Ambassador Mike Huckabee” HERE)

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‘Manifestly Unreasonable’: Israeli Police Block Catholic Cardinal From Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass At Christ’s Tomb

By Daily Caller. Israeli police prevented a Catholic Cardinal from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the church traditionally believed to have been built over site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and burial, adding a new dynamic to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem and the highest-ranked Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, was traveling with the official guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, when they “were stopped en route, while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act,” according to an official joint statement. . .

Warning of the “grave precedent” the incident risks setting as “billions … this week, look to Jerusalem,” the statement notes how seriously local Church officials have complied with the restrictions imposed by the civil authorities, despite disruptions and inconveniences. The restrictions have not always been evenly implemented, Reuters reported, citing local residents. Muslim preachers during Ramadan and a Western Wall cleaning crew ahead of Passover, for example, were allowed access to their respective holy sites in certain circumstances.

“The Heads of the Churches have acted with full responsibility,” the statement continues, “and, since the outset of the war, have complied with all imposed restrictions: public gatherings were cancelled, attendance was prohibited, and arrangements were made to broadcast the celebrations to hundreds of millions of faithful worldwide, who, during these days of Easter, turn their eyes to Jerusalem and to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.”

“Preventing the entry of the Cardinal and the Custos, who bear the highest ecclesiastical responsibility for the Catholic Church and the Holy Places, constitutes a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure,” the statement went on to criticize. “This hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations, represents an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the Status Quo [sic].”

(Read more from “‘Manifestly Unreasonable’: Israeli Police Block Catholic Cardinal From Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass At Christ’s Tomb” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Bullet Used to Kill Charlie Kirk did NOT Match Rifle Allegedly used by Suspect Tyler Robinson, New Court Filing Claims

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By Daily Mail. The bullet that killed conservative commentator Charlie Kirk did not match the rifle used by suspected killer Tyler Robinson, a bombshell new court filing states.

Robinson, 22, is facing capital murder charges and a potential death sentence for Kirk’s murder at Utah Valley University on September 10.

But his defense attorneys now argue that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ‘was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr Robinson.’ . . .

It also notes that DNA reports filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and ATF will take time for the defense team to analyze because reports indicated that several different DNA were found on some items of evidence.

‘As these cases indicate, determining the number of contributors to a DNA mixture and determining whether the FBI and the ATF reliably applied validated and correct scientific procedures… is a complicated process which requires the assistance of various types of experts, including forensic biologists, geneticists, system engineers and statisticians, all of whom must review and evaluate’ several different categories, the filing states, according to Deseret News. (Read more from “Bullet Used to Kill Charlie Kirk did NOT Match Rifle Allegedly used by Suspect Tyler Robinson, New Court Filing Claims” HERE)

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Alleged Charlie Kirk assassin’s defense team reveals who will be called to testify: court docs

By Fox News. Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative icon Charlie Kirk, have revealed who prosecutors intend to call to the stand and also asked the court to delay the preliminary hearing.

The filing, made by defense attorneys on Friday, states that prosecutors intend to call Robinson’s parents and his roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, to testify at the preliminary hearing. Robinson’s defense team is also asking the judge for a minimum six-month delay for the preliminary hearing, which is currently scheduled for May 18.

Robinson’s defense team said that defense attorneys received over 600,000 files from prosecutors during a meeting on March 12, which she says will take time to review. She also noted that the discovery isn’t complete yet.

“Discovery in this case is incomplete, voluminous, and the processing of it is complex,” the defense team wrote.

One of the defense’s experts, a forensic biologist, said she’d need six months to review the evidence. (Read more from “Alleged Charlie Kirk assassin’s defense team reveals who will be called to testify: court docs” HERE)

FBI Confirms $10 Million Reward After Iran Hacks Kash Patel’s Gmail; What’s Allegedly Inside the Hacked Emails?

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By Forbes. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has now confirmed that Director Kash Patel’s personal Gmail account has, indeed, been compromised by hackers and that email data has been accessed.

In a statement, the FBI said that “the information in question is historical in nature and involves no government information.” The Iran-linked hacktivist group Handala, also known as Handala Hack and Hatef, which was also behind the recent Stryker medical device attacks, has claimed responsibility. The FBI has confirmed that a $10 million reward is available for “information leading to the identification of the Handala Hack Team out of Iran.”

Researchers from the Sophos Counter Threat Unit have confirmed that the Handala Hack Team is an Iran-linked hacktivist group, initially observed back in 2023 but becoming much more active since the launch of the U.S. Epic Fury military operation. The group has “ramped up activity on its Telegram site,” the Sophos CTU researchers said, “encouraging pro-Iran hackers to pursue cyberattacks and retaliation.”

“Handala is the same group that wiped 200,000 devices at Stryker on March 11, exfiltrating 50TB of data by abusing Microsoft Intune,” Michael Bell, CEO at Suzu Labs, confirmed. Following this, the Department of Justice announced on March 19 it had seized Handala domains “as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt hacking and transnational repression schemes conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.”

It is this, Bell said, that is thought to have triggered the attack on Patel’s Gmail email account. “This was retaliation, and they picked the softest target they could find,” Bell said, adding that this is the second time that his personal accounts have been attacked, and following this, apparently, no one locked it down. “That’s not a sophisticated attack,” Bell concluded, “that’s an OPSEC failure.” (Read more from “FBI Confirms $10 Million Reward After Iran Hacks Kash Patel’s Gmail” HERE)

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What’s inside Kash Patel’s hacked email? US FBI director’s rum selfies, ‘Spiderkash’ alias, and over 300 leaked messages go public

By Mamta Raut. The personal email account of US FBI director Kash Patel has been hacked, with private photos, messages, and documents now circulating online in a dramatic breach that’s raising fresh alarms about cybersecurity at the highest levels. The attack, claimed by the shadowy Handala Hack Team, has exposed what appears to be years of Patel’s personal digital footprint, turning a top US law enforcement official into the latest high-profile cyber victim. . .

The leak didn’t stop at photos. Online investigators and cyber researchers began digging into the data, claiming links to multiple email aliases, including “Spiderkash” and “Patelkpp.” Some reports even suggested connections to app profiles and digital activity trails, though many of these claims remain unverified.

(Read more from “What’s inside Kash Patel’s hacked email? US FBI director’s rum selfies, ‘Spiderkash’ alias, and over 300 leaked messages go public” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Lindsey Graham Plays With Toys At Disney World As He Pushes For Military Action In Iran

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Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham was photographed at Walt Disney World on Sunday enjoying a fancy brunch after he repeatedly called for further military intervention against Iran.

Graham, who drew ire from both Republicans and Democrats after he called for the use of American troops to seize Kharg Island, enjoyed the $59 all-you-can-eat meal at Chef Mickey’s, a buffet-style dining establishment at the Contemporary Resort near the Magic Kingdom, according to photos posted by TMZ. Graham was also spotted holding a bubble wand while in the Magic Kingdom.

An eyewitness told TMZ that the hawkish senator, who has never been married and has no children, was holding the bubble wand for a girl who was using the restroom.

Graham compared the potential seizure of Kharg Island to the American capture of Iwo Jima in World War II during a March 22 appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” arguing it would leave Iran “defanged.”

“I trust DOD. We got two Marine Expeditionary Units sailing to this island. We did Iwo Jima, we can do this. The Marines, my money is always on the Marines,” Graham told host Shannon Bream. “I don’t know if you take the island or you blockade the island, but I know this the day we control that island, this regime, this terrorist regime has been weakened. It will die on a vine.” (Read more from “Lindsey Graham Plays With Toys At Disney World As He Pushes For Military Action In Iran” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Trump Admits Ballroom Was Cover For Something Secret Buried Underneath

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President Trump said late Sunday that his new White House ballroom will act as a “shed” for a “massive military complex” being built underneath.

“Now, the military is building a big complex under the ballroom, which has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “But the military is building a massive complex under the ballroom, and that’s under construction, and we’re doing very well.

“We have all bulletproof glass, we have drone-proof roofs, ceilings,” the president added. “Unfortunately, we’re living in an age when that’s a good thing.”

Before confirming the plans Sunday night, Trump said at a cabinet meeting Thursday that the military “wanted” the ballroom renovations “more than anybody.”

“It was supposed to be secret,” Trump said. “But it became unsecret because of people that are really unpatriotic saying things.” (Read more from “Trump Admits Ballroom Was Cover For Something Secret Buried Underneath” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

30-Year-Old California Police Officer Dies In 120-Mile Relay Race

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A 30-year-old Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy died Saturday after suffering a medical emergency while competing in the annual Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup relay race, police said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) identified the fallen deputy as Levi Vargas in a post Sunday on X. Vargas had served with the agency since 2015, starting as a Custody Assistant before graduating with Academy Class 413 and earning his badge. He was most recently assigned to San Dimas Station.

Vargas, an 11-year veteran with the force, faced a health emergency during the race, according to a post Saturday. “Despite receiving medical care, the Deputy ultimately passed away from their injuries,” the LASD added.

A procession of law enforcement vehicles escorted Vargas’s body from a Las Vegas hospital to the morgue, ABC7 reported, citing video. He was set to return to southern California by aircraft on Monday, according to his family.

(Read more from “30-Year-Old California Police Officer Dies In 120-Mile Relay Race” HERE)

UK on Iran: ‘Not Our War and We’re Not Going to Get Dragged In’

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The United Kingdom will not come to the aid of its allies the United States and Israel in Iran, no matter what pressure there is to join and no matter who asks, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The British Armed Forces will act to defend itself and British citizens in the Middle East but will never be “dragged in” to the war against Iran, Sir Keir Starmer said.

The remarks came in Starmer’s speech launching his Labour party’s local elections campaign for the forthcoming May 7th votes. While geopolitics and foreign war discourse may not seem like traditional fodder for local government elections, which in Britain tend to be fought on neighbourhood issues like refuse collection and road repairs, UK politics has taken on distinctly ethno-religious qualities that have led to claims it is developing a new sectarian politics.

For many voters in the United Kingdom, that the government doesn’t bomb Muslim countries is a primary concern at the ballot box, and several Labour Party MPs are privately concerned they stand to lose their seats to single-issue sectarian parties.

Promising his government wouldn’t engage in the joint American-Israeli attempt to reduce Iran’s capacity to hold the global economy to ransom, Sir Keir said in Wolverhampton on Monday that he wouldn’t change his mind “whatever the pressure and whoever it’s coming from”. (Read more from “Starmer on Iran: ‘Not Our War and We’re Not Going to Get Dragged In’” HERE)

Illegal Accused Of Murdering Chicago Student Reportedly Missing Part Of Skull, Can’t Read Or Write

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The illegal immigrant accused of murdering 18-year-old college freshman Sheridan Gorman is illiterate and lacking parts of his brain and skull, his attorney claims.

Authorities charged Venezuelan national Jose Medina-Medina with first-degree murder after he allegedly shot Gorman on March 19, while she was at a Chicago park with friends hoping to see the Northern Lights. The illegal immigrant — who the Biden administration released into the country — was left developmentally disabled and unable to read or write after surviving a bullet to the head years before entering the U.S., his attorney reportedly said in court Friday.

NewsNation national correspondent Alex Caprariello wrote Friday on X the suspected murderer “was robbed, beaten and shot in the head in 2018 in South America,” leaving him with “bullet fragments in his brain and a portion of a skull.”

“He is now developmentally delayed, has the education of a seven-year-old, and can’t read and write,” Caprariello continued. “Prosecutors say they have overwhelming evidence of his guilt: video that shows him in a mask, gloves, and dark clothes, hiding behind a lighthouse on Lake Michigan, and shooting Gorman in the back, killing her almost instantly.”

Medina-Medina had “no connection whatsoever” to the Loyola University Chicago student he murdered “in cold blood,” the NewsNation correspondent added. (Read more from “Illegal Accused Of Murdering Chicago Student Reportedly Missing Part Of Skull, Can’t Read Or Write” HERE)

CNN Journalist Put In Chokehold By IDF Soldiers

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Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers put CNN photojournalist Cyril Theophilos in a chokehold before detaining him and a group of journalists.

The CNN team was interviewing Palestinians in the West Bank town of Tayasir when IDF soldiers pointed weapons at the group and detained them for two hours, CNN reported.

The crew was reporting on recent settler attacks on Palestinians, including one attack that left 75-year-old Abdullah Daraghmeh with a fractured skull, the outlet reported.

The attack comes amid a larger trend of Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Last year marked a record high for settlement expansion since the United Nations began tracking settler activity, the BBC reported.

According to the Times of Israel, more than 500,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements and outposts in addition to approximately 3 million Palestinians. (Read more from “CNN Journalist Put In Chokehold By IDF Soldiers” HERE)