Homer’s Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus, one of the Greek commanders in the Trojan War, attempting to get home. The home in question is the island of Ithaca, where Odysseus ruled as king. Traditionally, this has been identified as the modern island known by the same name. This is in the Ionian Sea, off western Greece, just off the north-eastern coast of the island of Cephalonia. However, some scholars have argued that another location would fit Homer’s description better. What does the evidence really show?   Problems With the Identification of the Island of Ithaca Coin depicting the head of Odysseus, Ithaca, c. 3rd century BCE. Source: Classical Numismatic Group   We know that the modern-day Ithaca was identified as Odysseus’ Ithaca in the ancient period. There are various pieces of evidence supporting this statement. For example, many ancient coins that archaeologists have discovered on Ithaca depict Odysseus, showing that he was associated with that island. Furthermore, an inscription shows that Odysseus was worshiped as a mythological hero on that island from at least as early as the 3rd century BCE. Strabo, an ancient geographer, also made this identification clear.   However, there are some apparent problems with this identification. First, Homer describes Odysseus’ Ithaca as “low-lying.” This seems to conflict with the reality of modern-day Ithaca, which is mountainous. Furthermore, Homer refers to Ithaca in the following way:   “Around it many islands lie very close to one another, Doulichion, Same, and wooded Zacynthus. It lies low on the sea, farthest off toward the gloom, with the others off toward sun and dawn.”   This suggests that Odysseus’ Ithaca was furthest to the west, or possibly to the north, of its island group, which the traditional Ithaca is not.   Alternative Identifications of Odysseus’ Island of Ithaca One suggested reconstruction of Homer’s geography, identifying Lefkada as Odysseus’ Ithaca. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Based on these problems, various alternative sites have been suggested for the true site of Homer’s Ithaca. One suggestion is Cephalonia. This is to the west of today’s Ithaca, and there are no other islands in the Ionian Sea immediately to the west of it. This, arguably, would match what Homer wrote about the location of Odysseus’ Ithaca relative to the other nearby islands.   Another popular suggestion is that Homer’s Ithaca was actually Lefkada. This is the major island to the north of Cephalonia and today’s Ithaca. One line of reasoning that has been used to support this theory is the fact that the description of Ithaca as “low-lying,” or lying “low on the sea,” has been translated another way by some scholars. This alternative reading states that Odysseus’ Ithaca was close to the mainland, which Lefkada certainly is. Furthermore, it is the furthest north of the four main islands in that area (Lefkada, Ithaca, Cephalonia, and Zakynthos).   The Forgotten Impact of Tim Severin’s Research Tim Severin near the shores of Georgia in the Argo in his replica ancient Greek ship, 1984. Source: Georgia Today   Something which has been almost entirely overlooked in discussions of this issue is how the research of historian and explorer Tim Severin has greatly clarified the matter. He investigated Odysseus’ route home from Troy as described by Homer’s Odyssey. In contrast to the traditional view that Odysseus traveled all around the Mediterranean, Severin took a more realistic view. Based on the assumption that Odysseus was actually attempting to get home, he concluded that he maintained his position when being blown off course while rounding Cape Maleas much more than other commentators had granted. According to Severin’s reconstruction, most of the journey described in the Odyssey took place right around the coast of Greece itself. For example, the land of the Laestrygonians, with their remarkable circular harbor, was identified as Mezapos Bay on western Greece.   This proposed reconstruction—which has much to recommend it—is very useful for determining where Homer’s Ithaca was. This is because this route has Odysseus weave through the Ionian Islands themselves, making it clear where Ithaca was.   The Route South Towards Ithaca Satellite view of the Ionian Sea, showing Paxos in the top left. Source: NASA   According to Severin’s reconstructed route of the Odyssey, the Acheron River, where Odysseus descended to the Underworld, is the Acheron River in Epirus, western Greece. This same identification was made in ancient times. Circe’s island, Aeaea, was identified by Severin as Paxos, not far from the mainland. From Circe’s island, Odysseus is said to have traveled past the island of the sirens. After this, he reached a point where he had to choose between two routes. One would take him down a channel on which there was a danger of both sides (Scylla and Charybdis), while the other would take him past the dangerous Clashing Rocks.   As it happens, on a route southeast towards today’s Ithaca from Paxos, one would go past the small island of Antipaxos, which fits well as the island of the sirens. After this, one comes to Lefkada. At this point, any traveler on their way to today’s Ithaca would have to make a choice, just like Odysseus in the Odyssey.   Depiction of a lamia, by Edward Topsell, 1607. Source: Wikimedia Commons   On the one hand, they could go around Lefkada to the west. In the sea on this side of the island, there is a rock formation called Sesola. This large rock formation has a gap through the middle through which an ancient Greek ship could sail, with the imagined danger of the gap closing in. This is very much like Homer’s reference to the Clashing Rocks.   On the other hand, a traveler could go around Lefkada on the eastern side. While today there is a causeway blocking off the northern entrance, there was formerly a channel completely separating Lefkada from the mainland. On one side of this channel, near the northern entrance, there is a cave on the rock face above the water. This part of the mainland is called Mount Lamia, the lamia being a figure from Greek and Bulgarian mythology very similar to Homer’s Scylla. The mainland just north of the entrance to this channel between Lefkada and the mainland is even called Cape Skilla.   From the Island of Meganisi Satellite view of Lefkada, showing Meganisi directly to the south of the channel (now blocked off to the north) between Lefkada and the mainland. Source: NASA   Therefore, everything suggests that the northern tip of Lefkada marks the point where Odysseus had to choose between two different routes. One would take him past the Clashing Rocks, while the other would take him down a narrow channel with Scylla and Charybdis waiting for him. This appears to be a reference to the two different ways of going past Lefkada. After this, Odysseus reached the island of Thrinacia. Later, Homer explains that Odysseus was blown by a south wind back towards Charybdis from this island. This shows clearly that Thrinacia must have been south of the channel in which Charybdis was located.   In line with this, Severin identified Thrinacia as the island of Meganisi, which is immediately to the south of the channel separating Lefkada from the mainland. The shape of this island looks like a curved trident, matching the meaning of Thrinacia. Furthermore, this area was associated with sacred cattle, just like the Thrinacia of Homer’s Odyssey.   Satellite view of the Ionian Islands, showing the relative positions of Lefkada, Ithaca, and Cephalonia. Source: NASA   From the aforementioned evidence, Odysseus’ route from Circe’s island just off the coast by the Acheron River down to Thrinacia seems as certain as it can reasonably be. It appears to be a description of the route from Paxos, next to the real Acheron River, past Lefkada to the island of Meganisi. From here, Odysseus is shown to be very close to his destination of Ithaca. However, he is prevented from reaching it by a southern wind. Due to this wind blowing from the south, he has to remain on Thrinacia, waiting for the conditions to change. This makes it clear that Thrinacia was to the north of Homer’s Ithaca. This fits very well with today’s Ithaca, which is to the southwest of Meganisi.   On the other hand, if Odysseus had been trying to get to Cephalonia, then this route does not make sense. It would have been far more logical for him to have gone down the western side of Lefkada. It would have been a perfectly safe and logical route. He could have stayed close to the western coast of the island, the southernmost tip of which is close to the northernmost tip of Cephalonia.   The Real Location of Odysseus’ Ithaca Satellite image of Cephalonia and Ithaca. Source: Wikimedia Commons   In conclusion, the true location of Homer’s Ithaca continues to be debated. Aside from the island traditionally identified as Ithaca and known by that name today, the two other prominent candidates are Cephalonia and Lefkada. However, if we accept Tim Severin’s proposed reconstruction of the route of the Odyssey, the true answer is clear. Homer apparently describes a journey from Paxos southeast towards Lefkada, at which point Odysseus chose to travel down the eastern side of the latter island. This channel between Lefkada and the mainland was the channel in which Odysseus faced Scylla and Charybdis. If we accept this proposed reconstruction, which is very compelling, then Lefkada obviously cannot have been Homer’s Ithaca.   Likewise, this proposed route strongly argues against Cephalonia as Odysseus’ true home. If Cephalonia had been Homer’s Ithaca, then Odysseus would logically have sailed down the western side of Lefkada, not the eastern side. Therefore, at least inasmuch as Tim Severin’s research is concerned, the traditional identification of Ithaca must be the correct one.

  The hundreds of Native American tribes distributed across what is now the United States were subjugated and forced to assimilate into white America. Many were discouraged from holding onto their traditions, but that didn’t mean that all was lost. Efforts are still being made in the 21st century to preserve thousands of years of Indigenous culture. Not only have Indigenous men and women maintained their people’s history, they’ve made valuable contributions to America and the world. Technological innovations of America’s first peoples not only made a difference in history but are still important today.   Syringes Changed Modern Medicine Syringes with attached needles are used for giving accurate doses of medication and vaccinations. Source: Intropin/Wikimedia Commons   In 19th century Scotland, a doctor named Alexander Wood was credited with creating the hypodermic syringe, a tool that is still essential in human and veterinary medicine globally. While Wood might get some credit, America’s Indigenous people came up with a precursor to the syringe before colonization began. A cleaned animal bladder was used to hold fluids, and a sharpened, hollow bird bone was attached to it. The sharpened bone, like a modern needle, was used to push through the skin and put medication into the body. These early medical tools were also used to clean wounds and ears and provided an efficient way to administer enemas.   Vaccination with a needle and syringe is most common today, but it is not the only way to build immunity, as Indigenous tribes demonstrated. Source: Mississippi Department of Archives & History/Wikimedia Commons   Many Native American tribes exhibited an understanding of the concept of building immunity. Although immunization wasn’t always done with syringes and needles as it often is today, there is evidence that America’s first people made efforts to immunize themselves. Documented instances of people ingesting small amounts of potentially dangerous substances to protect themselves from larger exposure have been uncovered.   Kayaks Were Essential, Now Recreational An Inuit man demonstrates a traditional kayak in Greenland in 2006. Source: Ville Miettinen/Wikimedia Commons   Today, kayaking is a popular recreational sport. There are many different varieties of the small boats, which typically seat one person (although two-person models are available). They are used for relaxed paddling, whitewater adventures, family sightseeing, fishing, and hunting. The last two activities are what the inventors of the kayak, North America’s Inuit people, mainly used them for. Indigenous people also used kayaks as a form of travel.   Generally, there were two main types of early kayaks, made either from driftwood or bone. The kayak frame was covered in animal skins and waterproofed using animal fat. Seal bladders were used to add buoyancy. These early boats were very light but fragile. As time went on, the boats’ construction was improved by the Inuit and also by their neighbors, the Aleut people. Eventually, larger, more stable boats were built, capable of transporting a whole family group. These umiaqs could be up to sixty feet long.   Kayaking is now a popular endeavor worldwide. Source: Inkimar Err/Wikimedia Commons   The word kayak translates to “hunter’s boat,” and though the Inuit and Aleut did some fishing for sustenance, kayaks were essential to hunting. The boats were easy to maneuver and capable of moving at a good clip. Their small size made them easy to control, even when utilizing a harpoon. Kayaks were quiet and didn’t create splashes, enabling water hunters to sneak up on prey as if they were walking on land. Today, kayaks are generally made from fiberglass, though some Indigenous artisans have preserved the art of traditional small boat crafting.   Baby Bottles Are a Necessity Baby bottles are used every day around the world. Source: © Vyacheslav Argenberg, www.vascoplanet.com/Wikimedia Commons   The Iroquois, or Haudenosaunee people, are credited with the invention of the baby bottle. A necessity still in use today, bottles are an essential alternative or supplement for many families. Variations of baby bottles are used for livestock, pets, and wildlife rehabilitation as well. The first baby bottles were made from cleaned, dried, and lubricated animal guts, often bear. Bird quill was used as an early nipple on these bottles. Since formula is a modern invention, the early Haudenosaunee created a blend of pounded nuts, meats, and water to provide infants with nutrition when their mother’s milk was unavailable.   This oil painting shows a baby with a rubber-tube feeding bottle. These bottles eventually earned a reputation as killers when bacterial overgrowth in the tube sickened the babies. Source: Paula Modersohn-Becker/Wikimedia Commons   Attempting to create bottles that were more ergonomic and easier to clean, manufacturers began to focus on commercially produced baby bottles beginning in the 16th century. A variety of materials were used, including wood, pewter, and glass. Wood and pewter bottles proved dangerous. Wood could not be thoroughly sanitized, as it would absorb milk. The hazard with pewter was that the milk eventually broke down the metal, leaching harmful elements into the baby’s meal and causing a high mortality rate.   Glass bottles were introduced in the 1800s, though variations accompanied by a long rubber intake tube proved to be as deadly as pewter. Bacteria were able to grow in the tube from which the baby sucked, as they were difficult to clean. The French are credited with creating the modern version of the baby bottle, with polypropylene plastic introduced in the twentieth century. Today, bottles are still constantly evolving for efficiency, varying in nipple shapes, and utilizing new materials.   Native Americans Pioneered Pain Relief Willow bark was an instrumental ingredient in early pain relief. Source: Dimitrios Sawa/Wikimedia Commons   It’s nothing in the modern world to simply reach for a bottle of pain relief tablets when a headache arises. Without the influence of pioneering Native American healers, that convenience may not be so close at hand. Willow bark was ingested under the guidance of healers from numerous tribes for use as an anti-inflammatory pain reliever. Willow bark contains a compound called salicin. When salicin is ingested, it creates salicylic acid. This acid inhibits the production of prostaglandin hormones, which contribute to pain and inflammation. A synthetic form of this naturally occurring compound was created in Germany in 1897. Salicylic acid is the main ingredient in modern aspirin, the most widely used medicine ever.   An 1899 Bayer aspirin bottle. Source: Bayer AG/Wikimedia Commons   Indigenous people also created analgesic topical ointments from pain-relieving substances. Such substances included capsaicin, derived from peppers and jimsonweed. Capsaicin is still utilized today as an ingredient in topical pain relief products. These innovative ointments could be applied to cuts, bruises, and other wounds for direct pain relief.   Snow Goggles Saved Sight An Inuit man wearing snow goggles fashioned from caribou antler. The strap is made from caribou sinew. Source: Julian Idrobo/Wikimedia Commons   Protecting one’s eyes from the glaring effects of sun and snow is an important consideration in contemporary mountain sports, outdoor recreation activities, or simply spending time outside. A lack of eye protection in a snowy, bright environment risks a corneal sunburn from excessive ultraviolet (UV) light, leading to a condition known as snow blindness.   Indigenous people from the Alaskan region, including the Inuit and Yupik, created innovations in eye protection thousands of years ago. Snow goggles were an invention that limited vision to just a small slit, reducing glare and protecting the eyes from UV damage. Goggles were created from a variety of materials, including bone, antler, or wood. A strap was tied around the head to keep the goggles in place.   Modern snow goggles are commonplace for outdoor winter recreation worldwide. This little girl is skiing in Japan, wearing protective goggles. Source: Miki Yoshihito/Wikimedia Commons   Not only do snow goggles protect the eyes, they can improve vision. The slits in the goggles focus light, and as a result, distant objects appear sharper and more in focus. After the native Alaskans, some of the earliest humans to use snow goggles were mountaineers, as well as the first airplane pilots and automobile drivers. They led to the development of sunglasses, which are still constantly evolving in style and function today.   Lacrosse is America’s Oldest Team Sport This bronze statue in front of the US Lacrosse National Lacrosse Hall of Fame at Johns Hopkins University depicts two Indigenous men from an unnamed tribe playing the game. Source: Au Kirk/Wikimedia Commons   Lacrosse’s origins can be traced back to tribes in America’s 12th century. Lacrosse was more than a sport to many Indigenous people, who used it for religious rituals and battle training. The modern name “lacrosse” actually comes from a French missionary who thought the stick resembled the curved top of a bishop’s staff (“crosse”). To the original players, the activity had numerous names, including “Creator’s Game,” “Baggataway,” and “Tewaaraton.” The importance of lacrosse was such that Haudenosaunee people traditionally buried a man with his lacrosse stick so that he could use it in the next life. Today, America’s oldest team sport is played by 431 men’s college teams, and women’s teams are offered at many institutions as well.as well.

Arab navigators. Source: INF News   Although the Islamic expansion knit the Indian Ocean together, a maritime base already existed. In ancient times, Roman merchants met traders hailing from far places. Evidence such as coins or amphorae (two-handled ceramic vessels) turned up in far-flung India. Ports with famous names, such as Aden, Hormuz, and Calicut, became trade hubs. Over time, Arab sailors created navigation methods, making connections easier.   The Arab Maritime Golden Age Map of the World by Ibn Hawqal, c. 980. Source: Muslim Heritage   As with most ancient sailing, their ships tended not to venture into blue water. The sailors hugged the coastline for short trips and knew key landmarks. Sailors rarely ventured far due to the limited tools or knowledge. Knowledge spread through oral traditions. Yet an ocean-wide network developed. Everything changed during the Arab Golden Age (7th and 15th centuries).    One crucial change Arab navigators grasped was the seasonal monsoon winds. By mastering these winds, they could predictably departure times.   Indian Ocean Muslim Trade Routes. Source: Wikimedia   With blue water sailing now available and expanding trade, Arab mariners needed reliable tools. Their long tradition of oral knowledge now faced a rival: the map. Arab Caliphs encouraged a scholarly approach to cartography using astronomy and mathematics. Now, accurate measurements of currents, coastlines, and navigation produced uniform maps.    With regular commerce, the ports previously mentioned thrived. Aden, located in the Red Sea, became a crucial hub for goods traveling from Africa, India, and the Mediterranean. Hormuz (in the Persian Gulf) linked Persian, Arab, and Indian markets. Finally, Calicut (India) saw Arab, Chinese, or Asian merchants carrying on. In the Indian Ocean, the Arabs entrenched themselves as intermediaries between Europe, Africa, and Asia.   Their Tools and Techniques A Navigator Using a Kamal for Positioning. Source: Oceans 4 Future   In addition to tracking monsoon seasons and maps, Arab sailors refined their techniques and knowledge. Many of these improvements spilled over from the empirical methods employed during Islam’s Golden Age.    For blue water navigation, Arab navigators used star charts, celestial navigation, memory, and tools like astrolabes and a clever, simple tool called a kamal. Made using knotted string and a rectangular board, the navigator calculated the latitude. This was by determining the angle between the skyline and a known star.    Scholars consolidated Greek, Persian, and Indian maritime knowledge, incorporating their own observations and insights. The astronomer Al-Sufi recorded 250 plus stars in his Book of Fixed Stars. Formerly memorized details, such as harbors, wind patterns, and sailing directions, were recorded in texts (called rahmanis). All this knowledge finally appeared in the 15th century’s The Book of Useful Information on the Principles and Rules of the Sea by Ahmad ibn Majid.    Distinctive and Useful Ship Designs Traditional Dhow in the Persian Gulf. Source: Greenwich Maritime Museum   As Arab scholars and sailors refined their trade, others developed hand, distinct, and later influential ship designs. They combined Arab innovations with Indian, Persian, and African practices. These later influenced the ship designs of the Portuguese and other European powers during the Age of Exploration.   The Arabs refined earlier maritime technology, such as:   Triangular lateen sails represented a significant technical leap. These allowed ships to tack against the wind, especially useful during monsoon seasons or for easier steering.   Sewn planks: An age-old technique, shipbuilders literally sewed hull planks together. They drilled small holes along the edges. Next, the rope is threaded through the holes, and the planks are pulled tight, providing better flexibility for rough seas. Materials like resin or fiber made excellent caulking.   Shipbuilders refined older vessel types, such as the dhow and sambuk, by adding lateen sails and improving their construction. The dhow’s final refinement came in the baglah (16th century).    Recreated Baglah ship. Source: Family Tree DNA   At 100 feet in length, with a curved high prow and a square stern, the baglah stood out. Usually built with two or more lateen sails, bigger versions could transport up to 400 tons. Their size alone allowed the Arabs to dominate trading for centuries. Most Arab ships came from Yemen, Oman, or Gujarat.    Beyond Physical Cartography Example of a sewn-plank hull. Source: Semantic Scholar   Arab navigators did more than physical mapping. The Arab maritime expansion occurred concurrently with Islam’s growth in the late 7th century. Caliphates encouraged trade for growth. Beyond their traditional areas, traders soon reached East Africa, India, and even Aceh (Indonesia). In many of these ports, Arab merchants established enclaves, mosques, and local contacts. Islam spread with them, providing a common threat throughout the region.   A Common Misconception   As the Europeans entered the Indian Ocean, they found a pre-existing network. Their “discovery” is not entirely accurate. The Arab scholars and navigators had already woven the Indian Ocean together.  They sailed into a cohesive system with working parts.

Socialism and communism share the same ideological roots.

A suspected burglar in Phoenix learned a painful lesson about breaking into the wrong home on Thursday morning. According to KSAZ-TV, Phoenix police said an alleged burglar was shot by a homeowner near 40th Avenue and Cactus Road in the city’s northside around 10:40 a.m. “When officers arrived, they located...

This Bike Paint Job Is INSANE!

Leave it to MSNBC to push yet another absolutely despicable lie about President Trump. While discussing the recent strikes on drug cartel boats today, guest Tom Nichols of The Atlantic suggested that this is not actually about drugs. According to Nichols, President Trump is really just ordering the strikes in order to get Americans used to it, while he builds his own “private army” to target U.S. citizens! Host Alicia Menendez agreed with Nichols, saying their brains have “gone to the exact same place.” Watch for yourself: JUST IN: MSNBC says President Trump will start using the military to kill any person he wants in any location inside the United States. “He is acclimating people to the notion that the military is his private army. Unconstrained by law, unconstrained by norms, unconstrained by… pic.twitter.com/Hvu587aMxs — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 24, 2025 JUST IN: MSNBC says President Trump will start using the military to kill any person he wants in any location inside the United States. “He is acclimating people to the notion that the military is his private army. Unconstrained by law, unconstrained by norms, unconstrained by American traditions.” “I don’t really think this has anything to do with drugs.” Insane what they will say to defend narco-terrorists. What a disgusting, deranged left-wing fantasy. Here are some replies from folks on X: It should be illegal to lie like this on national television — Parlay Joe (@Parlay_J0E) October 25, 2025 Everyone on MSDNC is unhinged and suffering from TDS because that is a requirement to get onto the air. The only amazing thing to me is that ‘The Atlantic’ is still in business. Who besides the small number of viewers who watch CNN and MSDNC would read that rag? https://t.co/z9yvO3ofsS — Bay State Blues (@Baystateblues) October 25, 2025 @MSNBC had better retract this. I didn’t think they could sink any lower. I was wrong. Enemy of the people! https://t.co/3l3ZwrLhNI — Carla Greathouse (@CarlaGreathouse) October 25, 2025 Despite calls to retract the flat-out lie, MSNBC has not responded yet. Another lawsuit incoming?… Pres. Trump should put a lawsuit against them, this has been going on for too long. https://t.co/iVxmVveI3E — Luciano (@Lou468042341762) October 25, 2025

On Friday, Tucker Carlson released a very enlightening interview with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife Cheryl Hines. During one awesome moment, she praised First Lady Melania Trump, particularly for the work she does behind-the-scenes to help children and re-unite those displaced by war with their families. “She does it quietly. She doesn’t need fanfare for it. But she really works hard,” Hines said. Watch: BREAKING: Cheryl Hines just revealed First Lady Melania Trump “QUIETLY” works to protect, save, and reunite children with their families. “She does it quietly. She doesn’t need fanfare for it. But she really works hard.” God bless Melania! pic.twitter.com/uyznhZNmc8 — Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) October 24, 2025 Here’s a longer clip: Cheryl Hines gives praise to First Lady Melania Trump in new interview with Tucker Carlson: “Everything that I know about Melania Trump is pretty amazing.” pic.twitter.com/4WboyqgXpm — FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) October 24, 2025 The full Tucker Carlson interview with Cheryl Hines had a lot of other great moments, as well. If you want to watch the full thing, you can do so here: If Cheryl Hines hadn’t married Bobby Kennedy, she might never have known just how cruel and intolerant Hollywood is. (0:00) The Odd Beginnings of Cheryl’s Acting Career(15:56) The Predatory Nature of Hollywood(26:54) How Cheryl Secured Her Role in “Curb Your Enthusiasm”… pic.twitter.com/n1vLZnH88G — Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) October 24, 2025 As Cheryl Hines noted, Melania doesn’t ask for recognition or praise for her efforts, so a lot of the work she does stays in the background. However, we did get a brief update on how she has helped re-unite Ukrainian children with their families a couple weeks ago. From Politico: First lady Melania Trump said she has established an “open channel of communication” with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent months, hoping to reunite children separated from their families during the war in Ukraine. In one of her most substantive public remarks since her husband’s return to office, Trump said her representatives and Putin’s office have “participated in several backchannel meetings and calls, all in good faith,” about the welfare of children affected by the war. “President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of children for the past three months,” Trump said, adding that both sides “agreed to cooperate with each other for the benefit of all people involved.” Trump claimed that eight Ukrainian children have been reunited with their families in the past 24 hours as part of the initiative. Three of the children had been separated from their parents and displaced inside Russia due to front-line fighting, she said, while five others had been cut off from family members across borders since the early stages of the conflict. The first lady said she had received documentation and photographs from Russian officials verifying the identities and conditions of the children involved, including a “verification report” prepared by the commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on human rights and the Russian presidential commissioner for children’s rights. The facts have been confirmed by the U.S. government, she said. “This is an important initiative,” Trump said. “It is still on shared purpose and lasting impact. My ongoing mission is two-fold — to optimize a transparent, free-flow exchange of information surrounding all children who have fallen victim to this war and to facilitate the regular communication of children with their families until each individual returns home.” We truly have the most caring First Lady ever. She has a very big, genuine heart, and her compassion for children is unparalleled. I’m very proud to have Melania Trump as my First Lady. What about you?

The Utah judge presiding over alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson’s trial is now considering banning all cameras from the courtroom. Tyler Robinson’s defense is also asking the judge to let him wear plain clothes during the trial. Take a look: The judge overseeing the Charlie Kirk assassination trial is now weighing a decision to ban cameras from the courtroom. Tyler Robinson has asked to appear in plain clothes, and his legal team is pushing for a full media blackout during the proceedings. pic.twitter.com/pxWuZjtbvD — Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) October 24, 2025   Robinson’s legal team and law enforcement are advocating for a total media blackout. Both the defense and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office have filed motions asking the judge to not allow cameras during the trial. From The Salt Lake Tribune: Cameras should be banned from court hearings for Charlie Kirk’s accused killer, both law enforcement and the defense team for Tyler Robinson are arguing in court. They’re asking a judge to limit media coverage of the high-profile case. The request was detailed in a court filing by Robinson’s defense attorneys, who also have argued that their client should be allowed to wear plain clothes and sit without shackles during his court hearings in order to preserve his rights to a fair trial and not taint a potential jury. Utah County prosecutors oppose that request, but their arguments were filed in secret because their response discusses security measures at the Provo courthouse. The Utah County Sheriff’s Office has asked 4th District Court Judge Tony Graf to prohibit any further photography or video coverage of any future proceedings, Robinson’s attorneys revealed in their latest filing, adding that they agree with that request. Graf, a newly appointed judge, has vowed that he will conduct the proceedings “open to the public” and that they will be “handled with diligence and competence to ensure that justice is never compromised.” But the defense attorneys argue that limiting courtroom imagery would ensure that Robinson’s physical appearance is “no longer the subject of interest” in media coverage. The sheriff’s office also suggested that Robinson appear via a video feed from jail, according to the latest filing, but his attorneys pushed back on that and said it would not allow their client to meaningfully participate in the court process. The judge could rule on Robinson’s request to wear plainclothes during the trial — and, potentially, the camera ban — as soon as Monday. Fox News reported: Attorneys for the man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk are asking a Utah judge to allow him to appear in civilian clothing and without restraints at all court proceedings, arguing that heavy media coverage and public commentary have already threatened his right to a fair trial. In a 20-page filing submitted Oct. 22, Tyler Robinson’s legal team says the case has become a “content tornado,” describing it as a social-media storm of commentary, speculation and viral videos that make any new images of the defendant in jail attire potentially devastating to the future jury pool. Fox News has confirmed that Judge Tony Graf granted the state and Utah County Sheriff’s motion to classify their response as “private,” meaning the public cannot access the state’s reply to Robinson’s motion through the court’s docket. Prosecutors said their filing includes information from the court’s security director, Chris Palmer, outlining specific courthouse security measures in Robinson’s case. A closed hearing appeared on the docket Friday morning. While no public details are attached to the entry, multiple sources confirm to Fox News that it relates to the defense request that Robinson be permitted to appear unshackled and in civilian clothing at all in-person proceedings. The hearing was to be closed because it was going to cover security protocols specific to Robinson and the courthouse, sources confirmed. Graf is expected to make a decision on Robinson’s request to appear unshackled and in civilian clothing after a “ruling hearing” on Monday. First the sweeping gag order that prevents witnesses from speaking out, and now this. Why all the secrecy? WOW: Judge to decide on camera ban in Tyler Robinson’s trial for slaying Charlie Kirk. Judges shouldn’t be able to hide justice from the public—it’s antithetical to their duty. We’re sick of the lies and deceptions. We must demand full transparency in this trial—and all trials. pic.twitter.com/GL9Ebl3QP2 — John Strand (@JohnStrandUSA) October 25, 2025 Your thoughts?