Author: drastic215

NEW YORK, May 7, 2025 — New York City police arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University on Wednesday evening after demonstrators occupied part of the university’s Butler Library, escalating tensions on the eve of final exams. The NYPD’s intervention, requested by Columbia’s administration, followed reports of trespassing and injuries to two public safety officers during the protest. According to the NYPD, officers responded to the campus around 6 p.m. after university officials reported that a group of individuals had illegally entered and occupied Butler Library, a central hub for student study. Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, stated that…

CHICAGO, May 7, 2025 — Mayor Brandon Johnson has defended a newly finalized agreement to permanently remove two Christopher Columbus statues from Chicago’s Grant Park and Arrigo Park, marking the end of a years-long controversy over the monuments’ place in the city’s public spaces. The decision, announced last week by the Chicago Park District, settles a lawsuit with the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) and reflects Johnson’s broader push to align public art with “our collective humanity.” The statues, removed in July 2020 under then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot amid nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd, have been…

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, OHIO — In a bizarre turn of events, a routine traffic stop on May 5 led to a significant drug bust after police discovered a pet raccoon named Chewy holding a methamphetamine pipe in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. Officer Austin Branham of the Springfield Township Police Department initiated the stop upon identifying that the vehicle’s registered owner had an active warrant and a suspended driver’s license. The driver, 55-year-old Victoria Vidal of Akron, was detained without incident. However, upon returning to the vehicle, Officer Branham observed Chewy with a glass meth pipe in its mouth, prompting…

Chicago, IL — In a bizarre twist to the ongoing issue of squatter’s rights in Illinois, a homeowner named Marco Velazquez moved into his own property to live alongside alleged squatters after police informed him they could not remove the occupants. This unusual situation, reported by ABC7 Chicago, highlights the complexities and frustrations faced by property owners under current state laws. Velazquez, the owner of a South Side property listed for sale, discovered that a woman named Shermaine Powell-Gillard and her boyfriend, Codarro, had moved into his home. The couple claimed they had recently purchased the property and presented a…

Washington, D.C. — Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Wednesday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently reviewing a vast amount of evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier convicted of s-x trafficking. In a statement that has reignited public interest and concern, Bondi disclosed that the FBI possesses “tens of thousands of videos” involving Epstein with children or child p-rnography, alongside evidence concerning hundreds of victims. During a press interaction, Bondi emphasized the scale of the material under review, stating, “There are tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child p-rn, and there…

In a recent address, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) firmly refuted President Donald Trump’s assertion that Social Security benefits are being disbursed to deceased individuals aged between 100 and 360 years. During a livestreamed response to President Trump’s speech to Congress on March 4, Sanders stated: “Nobody who is 150 years old or 200 years old or 300 years old is receiving Social Security.” This comment was aimed at countering President Trump’s claim that millions of deceased individuals, some purportedly aged between 100 and 360, were collecting Social Security benefits. The reason it was said in the first place is because…

A striking new public sculpture now towers over Times Square, capturing the attention of passersby and sparking conversation about identity, representation, and public space. Titled Grounded in the Stars, the 12-foot bronze statue is the latest work by British artist Thomas J Price and marks his first solo installation in New York City. Unveiled in early May 2025, the sculpture is installed at Duffy Square, located at Broadway and 46th Street, one of the most iconic pedestrian intersections in Manhattan. Rendered in a matte black finish, the statue depicts a fictional young woman standing confidently with her hands on her…

During that broadcast, Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI assistant director and current national security analyst for MSNBC, alleged that Patel had been seen at nightclubs more frequently than at the FBI’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. He also claimed that Patel’s daily briefings had been reduced to twice a week, suggesting internal chaos at the agency. On the show, co-host Jonathan Lemire addressed the segment, stating, “This was a misstatement. We have not verified that claim.” Figliuzzi has not publicly commented on the retraction. The incident has drawn attention to the importance of verifying information before broadcasting, especially concerning public figures and…

A disturbing incident in Adelaide has left residents shocked and disgusted after a woman was caught on security footage defecating on a private driveway. The act, which occurred on April 26, 2025, in Kensington Gardens, has sparked outrage among the local community and reignited concerns about public decency and personal responsibility. At approximately 7:15 AM, a woman walking her dog was recorded by a homeowner’s security cameras as she stopped in front of their property and defecated on the driveway. The homeowner, upon discovering the footage, posted a sign on a nearby pole, demanding the woman return within 48 hours…

The Trump administration plans aggressive debt collection efforts on defaulted federal student loans, ending a five-year pause initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This move affects approximately 5.3 million borrowers currently in default and could lead to wage garnishment. Approximately 195,000 borrowers have already received notice that their federal benefits, such as tax refunds, will be garnished starting in early June. Later this summer, the Department plans to begin administrative wage garnishment, requiring employers to withhold a portion of a borrower’s paycheck to repay defaulted student loans. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the need to address the root issues of the…

A woman has been captured on video brandishing a machete during two separate road rage incidents in Southern California, prompting concerns about escalating traffic-related confrontations. The first incident occurred in Sylmar, Los Angeles, when a driver recorded a video showing a woman threatening to “skin” him while holding a machete. The second incident took place in February in Santa Clarita, where the same woman was seen with a machete sheath, though the blade was not visible. In both cases, the individuals involved claimed they were victims of aggressive behavior and felt threatened. The woman, identified as Andrea, issued a statement…

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has officially announced her bid for re-election in the upcoming 2026 mayoral race. In July 2024, she filed the necessary paperwork to form a fundraising committee for the June 2026 election, becoming the first candidate to do so, according to the city’s Ethics Commission. Bass emphasized her commitment to continuing the momentum of her administration, highlighting achievements such as a 10.4% decrease in unsheltered homelessness through her “Inside Safe” initiative. The 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election is scheduled for June 2, 2026, with a potential runoff on November 3, 2026, if no candidate secures a…

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has announced his opposition to former President Donald Trump’s nominee, Ed Martin, for U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., citing concerns over Martin’s involvement with the January 6 Capitol riot. Martin, who has been serving as the interim U.S. Attorney since January, was nominated by Trump for the permanent position. His nomination has been controversial due to his previous defense of individuals involved in the Capitol riot and his participation in events surrounding the attack. Martin has also made personnel changes in the U.S. Attorney’s office, including the dismissal or demotion of lawyers who prosecuted January 6…

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) has come under scrutiny following remarks made during a livestream supporting the “Tesla Takedown” movement. In the broadcast, she stated, “All I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down.” While Crockett emphasized that her comments were metaphorical and advocated for nonviolent protest, critics argue that such language could be interpreted as inciting violence. The controversy intensified after a video surfaced showing Crockett attempting to grab a reporter’s phone when questioned about her statements. The incident led to a police report being filed, though no charges have been announced. Crockett…

Judge James Boasberg, currently serving as the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, has presided over several legal proceedings related to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. These cases primarily involved Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and lawsuits filed by watchdog organizations seeking access to Clinton’s emails. August 2016: Judge Boasberg ordered the State Department to review approximately 14,900 emails discovered by the FBI during its investigation into Clinton’s private email server. These emails were to be assessed for potential work-related content and released accordingly. January 2016:…

During a town hall event in Jackson Heights, Queens, on May 2, 2025, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was interrupted by a protester who accused her of not doing enough to prevent a “genocide in Gaza.” The protester, identifying herself as a healthcare worker, shouted, “You’re a liar! You’re a war criminal!” The disruption occurred just as Ocasio-Cortez began her presentation on the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts, including those affecting local healthcare systems. Audience members responded to the outburst with boos and chants of “Shame! Shame! Shame!” Despite attempts by Ocasio-Cortez to address the protester, the individual continued to shout…

Prince Harry has lost his appeal against the UK government’s decision to revoke his automatic taxpayer-funded police protection when visiting the United Kingdom. The High Court upheld the 2020 ruling by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC), which determined that Harry would no longer receive the same level of security following his departure from royal duties and relocation to the United States. In the judgment, the court found that the decision was neither unlawful nor procedurally unfair. Justice Peter Lane stated that the approach taken by RAVEC was rational and proportionate, considering Harry’s change…

In a move to enhance safety for small business workers, Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a $1.6 million plan to install emergency “SilentShield” panic buttons in approximately 500 bodegas across New York City. This initiative aims to provide bodega employees with a direct line to the NYPD during emergencies, allowing for real-time video access and quicker police response times. The decision follows recent violent incidents, including a fatal stabbing in a Harlem bodega and a robbery in Brooklyn where suspects impersonated police officers. These events have intensified calls from the United Bodegas of America (UBA) for improved security measures. The “SilentShield”…

The Trump administration is intensifying its immigration enforcement strategy under the direction of Tom Homan, who was appointed as the administration’s “border czar” following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025. Since taking office, President Trump has prioritized mass deportations as a central component of his second-term immigration policy. According to Homan, approximately **139,000 undocumented immigrants** have been deported in the first three and a half months of the administration, a pace exceeding that of the Biden administration over a similar time frame. The focus has been on removing individuals with criminal convictions or pending charges, though…

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, a Democrat representing District 7, is facing serious legal challenges after admitting to ethics violations and being charged with federal crimes related to a kickback scheme. In July 2023, the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission fined Fernandes Anderson $5,000 for violating conflict of interest laws by hiring her sister and son to paid positions on her City Council staff. She appointed her sister as Director of Constituent Services with a salary that increased from $65,000 to $70,000, along with a $7,000 bonus. Her son was hired as an office manager with an initial salary of…