United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has met with Argentinian President Javier Milei and his economic team, praising the country’s market-friendly government policies.

Deem it a “legitimate resistance”. The post Palestinian Authority Leaders Hail October 7 appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

A U.S. official told Reuters that Dan Caldwell, the top adviser to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was escorted out of the Pentagon on Tuesday after being identified in an investigation into internal leaks. Caldwell has been placed on administrative leave due to what the official described as “an unauthorized disclosure.” He was involved in […] The post Sec. Hegseth’s Top Adviser Escorted Out of the Pentagon Over a Leak appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

The Federal News Network reports that the IRS is planning to cut up to 40% of its workforce after wrapping up this year’s tax filing season. An internal memo obtained by Federal News Network states the IRS will begin sending out bi-weekly Reduction in Force (RIF) notices starting this week. By the end of these […] The post IRS to cut 40% of the Work Force appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Japan’s population plummeted for the 14th year in a row in 2024, declining by nearly 900,000 people despite massive government spending aimed at encouraging childbirth. New data released on Monday by Japan’s Internal Affairs Ministry shows the number of Japanese nationals declining by 898,000, marking the steepest annual decline since authorities began keeping records in the 1950s. Roughly a quarter of the decline came in the 15-64 age demographic, which fell by 224,000 in a severe blow to the nation’s tax base, according to Bloomberg. The country’s fertility rate in 2023 stood at just 1.2 expected births per woman over her lifetime, far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population, reflected in Japan’s child population declining to a record-low 11.2% of the population, 13.8 million, after a decline of 343,000 last year. The sharp demographic downturn comes despite the Japanese government approving a $25 billion package in late 2023 to expand child allowances, improve childcare, and increase education support, only for birth rates to plummet further. Former Health Minister Keizo Takemi described Japan’s demographic outlook as “critical,” warning the country only has until the 2030s to reverse course, per Newsweek. Surveys show many younger Japanese are reluctant to marry or have families, discouraged by bleak job prospects, rising living costs outpacing salary growth, and corporate cultures incompatible with dual-income parenting. The nation’s population is projected to shrink by approximately 30% to 87 million by 2070, when four out of every ten Japanese will be 65 or older, potentially placing a crippling strain on Japan’s extensive welfare state, according to the Associated Press. Experts like Ekaterina Hertog, an associate professor at the Oxford Internet Institute and Institute for Ethics in AI who researches the societal impact of Japanese labor practices, are concerned that monetary incentives simply won’t be enough to increase fertility simply due to how Japanese culture has developed in the modern era. “Marriage trends in Japan and South Korea are significantly shaped by economic conditions and their intersection with gender roles,” she told Newsweek. The number of annual marriages on the island nation dipped below 500,000 for the first time in 90 years in 2023. Hertog explained that Japanese women still have the expectation of prospective husbands fulfilling the “traditional male breadwinner” role, causing many lower-paid men to postpone marriage or skip it entirely. “Another important set of factors are family norms, that prescribe children’s support of elderly parents and the difficulty of negotiating them in societies which have had low fertility rates for decades,” she added. Ryuichi Kaneko, demographer and professor at Meiji University, told the Asahi Shimbun newspaper: “I believe one of the reasons Japan’s declining birthrate has become especially severe is that, in the postwar period, the country built a society that prioritized economic activity to an extreme degree.” “We believe the declining births has not been effectively controlled,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters regarding the new demographic data, according to the Associated Press. This trend has been reflected in other Southeast Asian countries post-World War II, with China, South Korea, and Taiwan all experiencing similar if not more severe declines in fertility following mass urbanization, demanding work cultures, and changing attitudes toward marriage. Similar trends are emerging in the United States, where fertility rates have dropped to 1.67 births per woman — also below the 2.1 replacement level — despite various government incentives for families. Both nations are discovering that financial packages alone may be insufficient to overcome deeper cultural and economic factors affecting family formation decisions. With fewer working-age citizens supporting a growing elderly population, Japan’s traditional social welfare systems face unprecedented strain — creating economic challenges that many other developed nations may soon confront.

A Georgia man has been arrested for making explicit death threats against former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and her husband, as federal authorities tighten enforcement against threats toward political figures. The case underscores how credible threats—backed by specific intent and means—can cross the line from free speech into federal crime. Violent Threats Trigger Swift Arrest 25-year-old Aliakbar Mohammed Amin of Lilburn, Georgia, is now in federal custody after allegedly sending a series of violent threats between March 29 and April 1, 2025. His messages included direct threats to Gabbard’s life and her family, with lines like: “You and your family are going to die soon.” “Prepare to die, you, Tulsi, and everyone you hold dear. America will burn.” Amin’s messages reportedly referenced Gabbard’s Texas residence and included plans for violent action, stating, “I will personally do the job if necessary.” The FBI arrested him on April 11, charging him under Title 18 U.S. Code § 875, which criminalizes transmitting interstate threats of harm. When Threats Become Federal Crimes Federal authorities make arrest decisions based on a few critical factors: Specificity of the threat (time, place, method). Credibility and means to carry out the threat. Evidence of planning or intent, including prior behavior or possession of weapons. Pattern of harassment, especially if threats escalate over time. In Amin’s case, the FBI uncovered disturbing photos showing guns pointed at images of Gabbard and her husband, as well as violent social media posts. A search of his home revealed at least one firearm, prompting immediate federal action. FBI ARRESTS Aliakbar Mohammed Amin in Georgia for making threats against President Trump and Tulsi Gabbard pic.twitter.com/UsGsKDhNQ1 — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 12, 2025 Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. stated firmly: “Threatening to harm public officials is a criminal act that cannot be excused as political discourse.” DOJ Sends a Clear Message A U.S. Magistrate ordered Amin held without bond pending trial. The Department of Justice emphasized that politically motivated threats—regardless of ideology—will be aggressively prosecuted. Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown of the FBI Atlanta office warned: “Let this arrest serve as a clear warning: if you engage in this kind of criminal behavior, you will be caught, and you will go to prison.” Man arrested in Georgia for threats against Tulsi Gabbard, her husband https://t.co/I7XD7fodeh — Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) April 14, 2025 The case highlights a growing pattern of violent rhetoric escalating into criminal conduct, especially in an increasingly tense political climate. Officials warn that even if the person issuing threats doesn’t act, the threat alone—if credible—can lead to arrest and prosecution. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat turned independent with a rising national profile, has yet to publicly comment on the arrest, but sources say security around her and her family has been significantly increased. As political tensions rise nationwide, the FBI and DOJ are clearly drawing a line: threats won’t be tolerated—no matter who you are or who you’re targeting. Sources: FBI arrests man for allegedly sending threats to Tulsi Gabbard | Fox News Georgia man accused of threatening Tulsi Gabbard | State | griffindailynews.com

In a bold move aimed at curbing rising juvenile crime and the fentanyl epidemic, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered 60–70 National Guard troops to assist law enforcement in Albuquerque starting mid-May. While some residents are applauding the support, others warn that short-term deployments won’t fix long-term decay. Guard Deployment: Support, Not Street Patrols Governor Grisham’s executive order assigns National Guard troops to non-combat roles like traffic control, scene security, and prisoner transport. The goal is to free up police officers to directly confront criminal activity, especially among juveniles and drug networks fueling the fentanyl crisis. Between 2019 and 2024, Albuquerque police cited or arrested over 2,600 minors, including a recent case where a 13-year-old was charged with first-degree murder after a deadly crash. The same teen was linked to multiple burglaries—a sign of the city’s growing struggle with violent youth crime. GOP Pushes for Accountability, Not Coddling Republican leaders have slammed the National Guard deployment as a band-aid on a bullet wound. Leticia Muñoz, Executive Director of the New Mexico GOP, criticized the move as “not enough,” calling for bail reform, tougher sentences, and real accountability for repeat offenders. “Albuquerque is calling in the National Guard due to violent crime.” No one is talking about the fact that New Mexico’s Democrat governor has been forced to call in the National Guard to address violent crime. pic.twitter.com/MMpAJ7RdJ2 — Timcast News (@TimcastNews) April 10, 2025 Muñoz also blasted a Democrat-backed pilot program offering housing to detained juveniles, saying it rewards bad behavior. “We cannot coddle criminals and expect public safety to improve,” she argued, pointing to what she called a broader failure of leadership from Albuquerque’s mayor. Fentanyl Crisis Fuels Urgency At the core of Albuquerque’s law enforcement woes is the fentanyl epidemic, which claimed 65% of New Mexico’s overdose deaths last year. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office recently seized 2,700 fentanyl pills and arrested nearly 400 suspects in Operation Route 66. The Guard’s support aims to amplify those results without militarizing the city. Troops will be unarmed and dressed in civilian clothes to avoid further tension, especially in communities already wary of law enforcement. Still, the ACLU of New Mexico raised red flags about possible civil rights violations, warning that “military presence, no matter how subtle, can intimidate and disrupt communities.” BREAKING: Democrat New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, whose banned carrying guns by law-abiding citizens, refuses to cooperate with ICE to deport illegal aliens and passed anti-police reform—NOW deploying the National Guard to Albuquerque to fight a violent crime emergency. pic.twitter.com/btWS7aNpLY — Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) April 9, 2025 What Long-Term Solutions Might Work Better? While short-term deployments can offer relief, experts and community leaders stress that lasting change requires deeper reform, such as: Juvenile justice overhaul, including mandatory intervention programs and vocational training. Fentanyl interdiction task forces with cross-agency intelligence sharing. Stronger parental accountability laws and expanded family services. Faith-based rehabilitation initiatives and school safety partnerships. Albuquerque’s Mayor Tim Keller remains optimistic. “Crime is finally trending down for the first time in decades,” he said, “and the Guard’s arrival is one more step to keeping that momentum alive.” But for the people of Albuquerque—especially in the city’s hardest-hit neighborhoods—the question remains: Is this enough to rebuild a broken system, or just another temporary fix? Sources: National Guard deployed to blue city overrun with juvenile crime, fentanyl is ‘not enough,’ state GOP says National Guard to help Albuquerque fight crime, but some wonder if it’s necessary

Jenna Bush Hager gave birth to her daughter, Mila, on April 13, 2013, giving George W. Bush and Laura Bush their first grandchild. The former president and first lady adore their five grandchildren, who affectionately refer to them as Jefe, which means boss in Spanish and Grammy. In honor of Mila turning 12, George W. Bush created a one-of-kind gift for his granddaughter, highlighting his hidden talent for painting. Jenna shared a photo of Mila holding up the portrait of her cat, Maisie, painted by her Jefe. It’s clear that Mila loves her Jefe just as much as he loves her. Instagram George W. Bush Apparently Loves Painting Pets According to Today, Jenna Bush Hager and her twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, spoke at the Wyckoff Family YMCA in Wyckoff, New Jersey, last month and shared George W. Bush’s love for painting poets. Jenna added her kids “request work” from her father all the time. “A painting will show up and I’m like, ‘When did ‘Jefe’ paint Mango?’ And Mila’s like, ‘Oh, I requested that he do that for Poppy.'” Jenna celebrated her daughter’s birthday with a sweet Instagram post of photos captioned, “Twelve years of our darling girl–Mila we LOVE all of who you are: all heart, spirit and humor. You burrata, cat-loving, Grays Anatomy queen! We love you so!” Laura Bush commented, “Wish we were with you on your birthday! So much love” Many others shared birthday greetings. One wrote, “Mila! Happy Birthday! We love you so. Keep shining your beautiful light.” Another person shared, “She’s one of a kind and has the most perfect and precious soul. Happy birthday beautiful Mila!” Jenna never mentioned Mila’s favorite part about turning 12, but we believe that receiving a pet painting from Jefe George W. Bush has to be high on the list. This story’s featured image is by Cooper Neill/Getty Images. The post Jenna Bush Hager Reveals Painting George W. Bush Created For Her Daughter’s Bedroom appeared first on InspireMore.