Louisiana has become the first state to allow law enforcement to intercept and disable drones posing threats to public safety. Gov. Jeff Landry signed the groundbreaking "We Will Act" Act into law on Wednesday, June 18.

Well this is certainly odd timing... 😅

HB261 by Rep. Jack "Jay" Gallé Jr., R-District 104 (St. Tammany Parish) grants specially trained officers the authority to use both kinetic and non-kinetic methods to neutralize drones operating unlawfully near sensitive areas like schools and public events.

??? What that means??

"This law puts Louisiana on the front lines of drone defense," Gov. Landry said. "We are taking bold steps now to protect our people and our skies before tragedy strikes."

Violators face strict penalties, including fines up to $5,000, up to one year in jail, and mandatory forfeiture of the drone. The legislation comes amid growing concerns over unauthorized drone activities near sensitive locations.

Gov. Landry noted this move places Louisiana at the forefront of state-level drone policy, setting a precedent that may influence future legislation across the country.

https://www.kadn.com/news/state/gov-landry-signs-new-drone-defense-law-first-in-nation/article_c257bacd-474c-47a4-8341-c5516cd44d6b.html

Napster, the brand synonymous with the music piracy boom of the early 2000s, now finds itself facing a new copyright challenge.

Case file: torrentfreak.com/images/sounde…

Napster and Sonos Sued for Millions in Unpaid Music Royalties * TorrentFreak

^{Ernesto Van der Sar (TF Publishing)}

Donald Trump built his ascent on public hatred for George W. Bush’s forever wars. As he lies his way into a war with Iran, he’s poised to take up Bush’s legacy as his own.

Like George W. Bush, Donald Trump Is Lying His Way Into War

^jacobin.com

Progressive NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani faces rising Islamophobic threats and accusations of antisemitism. Despite condemning hate, he's criticized for not showing enough emotion. How can he navigate this toxic political landscape? #NYCmayor #antisemitism #Islamophobia

Mamdani Laments 'Sad Burden of… Dehumanizing Language' in NYC Mayoral Race

"Zohran is a breath of fresh air in today's abysmal political climate worldwide," said one observer.

^{julia-conley (Common Dreams)}

VIENNA - Austria's coalition government has agreed on a plan to enable police to monitor suspects' secure messaging in order to thwart militant attacks, ending what security officials have said is a rare and dangerous blind spot for a European Union country.

Archived version: archive.is/newest/straitstimes…

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

Austrian government agrees on plan to allow monitoring of secure messaging

VIENNA - Austria's coalition government has agreed on a plan to enable police to monitor suspects' secure messaging in order to thwart militant attacks, ending what security officials have said is a rare and dangerous blind spot for a European Union …

^{The Straits Times}

"Alistair Kitchen's deportation is a clear case of retaliation in connection with his reporting, and such action sends a chilling message to journalists," said one press freedom defender.

Journalist Who Decried Trump's 'Deportation of Dissent' Says He Was Deported for Dissent

"Alistair Kitchen's deportation is a clear case of retaliation in connection with his reporting, and such action sends a chilling message to journalists," said one press freedom defender.

^{brett-wilkins (Common Dreams)}

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned Israeli authorities on Monday after it struck the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) headquarters during the fourth day of fire exchanged between Israel and Iran.

Archived version: archive.is/newest/jurist.org/n…

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

Press freedom advocates demand accountability after Israel bombs Iran state radio headquarters

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned Israeli authorities on Monday after it struck the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) headquarters during the fourth day of fire exchanged...

^{Mariam BahaaEldein Thabet | Mansoura U. Faculty of Law, EG (- JURIST - News)}

The acting chair of the federal agency that enforces workers rights acknowledged Wednesday that transgender workers are protected under civil rights laws but defended her decision to drop lawsuits on their behalf, saying her agency is not independent and must comply with Donald Trump’s orders.

Andrea Lucas, who was first appointed to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2020 and elevated to chair in January, spoke at her confirmation hearing at the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Her nomination to serve another five-year term as an EEOC commissioner requires Senate confirmation, though whether she stays on as chair will be up to Trump.

Republican senators praised her leadership, especially her commitment to rolling back Biden-era regulations and guidance on gender-identity rights, which Lucas has argued overstepped the EEOC’s authority.

Lucas faced questions from Democrats who said she has eroded the traditional independence of the EEOC and acted on the president’s whims since Trump fired two of the agency’s Democratic commissioners before their terms expired in an unprecedented act.

https://apnews.com/article/eeoc-andrea-lucas-senate-hearing-dei-transgender-8cb16648226adc24f04f85bc9a166d21

Senate passes legislation to regulate stablecoins, first of what industry hopes will be wave of bills to bolster legitimacy

US Senate Democrats cross the aisle to help Republicans pass crypto bill

^{Guardian staff reporter (The Guardian)}

The firebrand Republican congresswoman’s filing contained no assets, no income from her book, no bank accounts, and no mortgage on a home

Questions raised over Lauren Boebert’s financial disclosure filing - which includes no financial disclosures

^{Mike Bedigan (The Independent)}

Health insurance research professor says there is a ‘perfect storm of factors’ driving prices up

Tariffs are already making your health insurance costs go up

^{Gustaf Kilander (The Independent)}

Justice secretary says ‘public confidence in the rule of law is fraying’ but she wants to protect ECHR by changing it

Archived version: archive.is/20250618192244/theg…

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

Shabana Mahmood says UK will seek reform of human rights convention

^{Jessica Elgot (The Guardian)}

The sculpture boasts quotes from other dictators praising Trump

New ‘dictator approved’ sculpture of smashed Statue of Liberty arrives in DC - but nobody knows who is behind it

^{Kelly Rissman (The Independent)}

Diplomats expect EU foreign affairs chief Kallas to find Israel in violation of its 25-year-old "association agreement" over the Gaza war, but with no EU action before July.

Archived version: archive.is/20250618193049/euob…

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

Kallas hints EU 'review' will go against Israel

Diplomats expect EU foreign affairs chief Kallas to find Israel in violation of its 25-year-old "association agreement" over the Gaza war, but with no EU action before July. 

^{Andrew Rettman (EUobserver)}

A judge for the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts on Tuesday blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from refusing to issue passports to transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals that reflect their identities. The ruling is an expansion of a previously issued preliminary injunction, wherein Judge Julia Kobick held that the Trump administration’s passport policy is likely in violation of the Equal Protection Clause and that it is arbitrary and capricious, thus in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

Case file: storage.courtlistener.com/reca…

US federal judge applies passport policy preliminary injunction to more transgender and nonbinary individuals

A judge for the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts on Tuesday blocked President Donald Trump's administration from refusing to issue passports to transgender, nonbinary, and intersex...

^{Morgan Polen | U. Pittsburgh School of Law, US (- JURIST - News)}

‘Starving people being killed or injured while seeking life-saving assistance is completely unacceptable’ says World Food Programme

Archived version: archive.is/newest/independent.…

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

Israeli attacks kill 140 in Gaza in 24 hours, medics say, as focus shifts to Iran

^{Nidal al Mughrabi (The Independent)}

As many as 70 said to be planning to show solidarity at LGBTQ+ march after Hungary’s PM tried to ban it

Archived version: archive.is/newest/theguardian.…

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

Dozens of MEPs to attend Budapest Pride in defiance of Viktor Orbán

^{Jennifer Rankin (The Guardian)}

An Iranian missile killed Kasem's family in an Arab-majority town in Israel. The response shone a light on deep social issues.

Archived version: archive.is/newest/bbc.com/news…

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

Iran missile strikes: Father's anger exposes divide in Israeli society

^{Tom Bennett (BBC News)}

One of the many great waterfalls with an easy hike along the Icefields parkway in Jasper NP, this 2.6 mile roundtrip rises a mere 450 ft along Beauty creek. Multiple falls are passed along this route that is highly worth the minimal effort. Hiked 5/14

Another waterfall below Stanley falls and the pretty patterns formed from its outflow.

A smaller fall that is upstream from the main Stanley falls.

A front view of one of the long rapids shows how clear the water can be when it is not being disturbed by flow.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/technology/palantir-government-contracts-democrats-letter.html

Some of the seven Democrats who voted for Noem say they'd now oppose her in the wake of Trump's aggressive deportation plans and last week's incident involving Sen. Alex Padilla.

Five days after Donald Trump's inauguration, seven Senate Democrats voted to confirm Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Nearly 5 months later, most of them are critical of her, with some going as far as to say they regret their votes.

"I'm very disappointed. I'm very disappointed in her," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told NBC News this week. "If I were voting on her today, I definitely wouldn't vote for her."

Freshman Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., also said he would vote differently and oppose her nomination if he could do it again.

Some Democratic senators regret voting to confirm Kristi Noem as DHS secretary

After seven Democrats voted for Noem, some say they'd now oppose her in the wake of Trump's aggressive deportation plans and last week's incident involving Sen. Alex Padilla.

^{Sahil Kapur (NBC News)}