U.S. Defense Secretary's Mishandling of Security Raises Alarms

A recent analysis highlights a concerning correlation between the use of herbal and dietary supplements and an increase in liver damage cases in the United States. According to a 2022 study published in the journal Liver Transplantation, supplement-related liver failure requiring transplants surged eightfold from 1995 to 2020. Another study found that approximately 20% of liver toxicity cases nationwide are linked to these supplements, indicating a significant health risk. Dr. Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, a hepatologist at Jefferson Health, expressed concern that many users mistakenly believe these products are inherently safe, although they can pose real risks. Common supplements such as turmeric, black cohosh, Garcinia cambogia, and green tea extract have been identified as particularly problematic due to high doses and potential liver toxicity. Experts emphasize the lack of regulation surrounding these products, with Dr. Robert Fontana from the University of Michigan noting a 50% mismatch between labeled and actual ingredients. Health authorities report approximately 44,000 cases of liver damage linked to drugs annually, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about the potential dangers of unregulated supplements.

Aasis Subedi, a Bhutanese Nepali refugee, is grappling with the harsh reality of being deported back to Nepal's refugee camps after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers expelled him and approximately two dozen others from the United States. This situation has arisen despite many having fled ethnic cleansing in Bhutan decades ago and having built lives in the U.S. According to officials, individuals like Subedi, who faced criminal charges, can be deported under current laws, but concerns regarding their safety upon return are being raised. Robin Gurung from Asian Refugees United highlighted that Bhutan remains unsafe for many deported individuals, placing them at risk of statelessness once again. Subedi, who spent his childhood in a refugee camp, now finds himself back in the very environment he hoped to escape. “I want to come back. I have family, my kids,” he stated, reflecting the sorrow of many in his community. The Bhutanese Nepali diaspora, particularly in Ohio and Pennsylvania, has contributed significantly to local economies, yet fears abound as deportations ripple through immigrant communities.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has collected DNA samples from over 133,000 migrant children, including a four-year-old, uploading their genetic data into a national criminal database, according to documents obtained by WIRED. The records reveal that DNA collection has been implemented broadly, capturing samples from between 829,000 and 2.8 million individuals over four years, with approximately 1.5 million likely being unique cases. The Department of Justice defends this practice, claiming it aids law enforcement in gauging public safety by potentially identifying future criminal activity. However, experts express significant concerns about the implications of storing the DNA of minors, especially as the program was designed for tracking offenders. Privacy advocates argue this approach suggests a presumption of guilt among all migrants and raises ethical questions about genetic surveillance. Current U.S. policy allows collection of DNA from individuals over 14 years old, though exceptions can apply to younger children in certain scenarios. Critics emphasize that the inclusion of juvenile DNA in such a database is alarming and poses risks of future discrimination and privacy breaches.