Author: Lisa Winer

Exploring the Best Films of 2024 As the year draws to a close, film critics Nicholas Barber and Caryn James from the BBC highlight their top cinematic experiences of 2024. The selection features an eclectic mix, showcasing everything from intimate dramas to audacious thrillers. Here’s a glimpse into their favorites: Highlights of the Year Immaculate – Starring Sydney Sweeney, this horror film takes viewers into a chilling Italian convent, where a novice nun uncovers unsettling truths. The film stands out for its striking visuals reminiscent of Renaissance art and its bold commentary on gender issues. Civil War – Directed by…

Protests Against Immigration Raids Erupt Nationwide Demonstrations sparked by recent immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles are rapidly spreading to various cities across the United States, with participants aiming to voice their opposition to the raids. The unrest began on Friday as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted several raids in the Los Angeles area, and continued throughout the weekend, leading to confrontations between protesters and law enforcement. The situation escalated to the point that President Trump authorized the mobilization of National Guard troops. Yet, California Governor Gavin Newsom did not request this assistance and has since urged Defense Secretary…

Is the US Finally Embracing High-Speed Rail? The United States, a nation of 340 million, boasts 71 interstate highways and over 5,000 public airports, yet it still lacks a high-speed rail (HSR) system. With two projects currently in development and more in the pipeline, there are signs that the US may be moving closer to aligning itself with the high-speed train networks prevalent in China, Japan, and Europe. According to Rick Harnish from the High Speed Rail Alliance, the progress on these initial projects is promising. Current HSR Projects Among the prominent projects is the high-speed rail line connecting San…

Widespread Child Exploitation Exposed, 109 Children Rescued in North Texas In a significant operation aimed at combating child exploitation, authorities in North Texas have rescued 109 children and apprehended 244 suspects involved in sex trafficking and pornography. The remarkable results stem from Operation Soteria Shield, a month-long investigation led by the Dallas office of the FBI in collaboration with approximately 70 local law enforcement agencies. A Closer Look at Operation Soteria Shield On June 15, 2025, U.S. Attorney Jay Combs for the Eastern District of Texas described the operation as “stunning,” highlighting the shocking scale of child exploitation that persists…

Former President Donald Trump threw his political weight behind New Jersey’s Republican frontrunner, Jack Ciattarelli, ahead of the state’s pivotal gubernatorial primaries, marking a significant moment in a contest poised to influence national momentum heading into the 2026 midterms. In a five-minute telephone rally on June 2, Trump praised Ciattarelli as the “most experienced and battle-tested” candidate to reclaim New Jersey from what he called the “blue horror show,” despite Ciattarelli’s history of sharp criticism of Trump during his 2015 and 2021 campaigns. “Jack has what it takes to win,” Trump declared, citing Ciattarelli’s promises to cap property taxes at…

Protests against Immigration Raids Spring Up in Cities Across the U.S. Protests that began in Los Angeles over recent immigration enforcement raids have rapidly spread across multiple cities nationwide, with demonstrations expected to continue throughout the weekend. The escalation of these protests coincided with the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines by President Trump in response to the situation. The initial protests in Los Angeles began on Friday as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a series of raids in and around the city. As the weekend unfolded, tensions rose, sometimes resulting in confrontations between protestors and law…

Significant Operation Uncovers Child Exploitation in North Texas In a groundbreaking operation that underscores the severity of child exploitation in North Texas, authorities have successfully rescued 109 children and apprehended 244 individuals involved in child sex trafficking and pornography. The operation, dubbed Operation Soteria Shield, was a collaborative effort led by the Dallas FBI and supported by approximately 70 law enforcement agencies. Announced on Tuesday, the operation culminated a month-long investigation aimed at addressing a criminal epidemic that experts describe as persistent and alarming. According to Jay Combs, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, “The number of…

Road Rage Incident Leads to Injury in Colorado Springs A shooting incident late Wednesday evening left one individual injured and led to the arrest of a suspect in Colorado Springs. The event unfolded around 7 p.m. at the intersection of North Academy Boulevard and Austin Bluffs Parkway, with preliminary investigations suggesting that the incident was linked to road rage. Details of the Shooting The suspect, identified as Michael Brodus, 29, allegedly discharged an AK-47 style rifle during a confrontation that escalated into a shooting. According to court documents, Brodus has been charged with first-degree assault after an altercation occurred just…

Concerns Rise Among Air Traffic Controllers at Newark Airport In a recent conversation with CBS News New York investigative journalist Tim McNicholas, an air traffic controller stationed at Newark Airport expressed deep uncertainties about his future in the profession. Following a series of significant equipment failures that transpired between April and May, he, along with several colleagues, opted for trauma leave, fearing for their safety as well as the safety of the pilots they manage. Equipment Issues Create Turbulence The air traffic controller recounted a particularly harrowing episode during which crucial communication with pilots was abruptly lost due to multiple…

Ongoing Protests Against ICE in Los Angeles Protests against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have escalated across Los Angeles and several other cities in the United States, marking six consecutive days of demonstrations. With approximately 700 Marines scheduled for deployment to the Los Angeles region by Friday, tensions continue to simmer in the aftermath of the protests that began last Friday. Since then, over 850 individuals have been apprehended in Los Angeles County alone in connection with these events. A Breakdown of the Protests Here’s a timeline outlining key events during the course of the protests: Date Event June…