As DeCarlos Brown walked away from stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska to death, he said, “Got that white girl; got that white girl.” You can hear him say it at about 40 seconds in this clip. Brown is a violent Schizophrenic with a rap sheet dating back to 2007. Conservative media has about 20 mugshots […] The post After Killing Iryna, Brown Said, “Got That White Girl. Got That White Girl” appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

The Wall Street Journal on Monday published an image of what they claim is a crass birthday letter President Donald Trump gave to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — sparking swift pushback from Trump administration officials, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The text of the letter, allegedly from 2003, is laid over a drawing of a naked woman’s torso and is supposedly signed by President Trump, the report suggests. The image was provided to Congress by the Epstein estate in response to a subpoena. Wall Street Journal Leavitt rejected the report as “fake news,” and noted Trump’s lawsuit against the paper for its initial July report on the alleged birthday letter. “The latest piece published by the Wall Street Journal PROVES this entire ‘Birthday Card’ story is false,” the press secretary posted to X. “As I have said all along, it’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it. President Trump’s legal team will continue to aggressively pursue litigation.” Leavitt further commented on the apparent journalistic practices of the Journal before publishing the report. “The ‘reporter’ [Joe Palazzolo], who wrote this hatchet job, reached out for comment at the EXACT same minute he published his story giving us no time to respond.” “This is FAKE NEWS to perpetuate the Democrat Epstein Hoax!” she added. The latest piece published by the Wall Street Journal PROVES this entire “Birthday Card” story is false. As I have said all along, it’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it. President Trump’s legal team will continue to aggressively… — Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) September 8, 2025 Deputy White House Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich said the signature on the card doesn’t match the president’s signature, and suggested media company News Corp was going to have to shell out big for “defamation.” Time for @newscorp to open that checkbook, it’s not his signature. DEFAMATION! https://t.co/O6iKk4SYF5 pic.twitter.com/T0wlp36P9h — Taylor Budowich (@TayFromCA) September 8, 2025 Vice President JD Vance had a strong reaction, too, posting to X, “The Democrats don’t care about Epstein. They don’t even care about his victims. That’s why they were silent about it for years. The only thing they care about is concocting another fake scandal like Russiagate to smear President Trump with lies.” “No one is falling for this BS,” he added. The Democrats don’t care about Epstein. They don’t even care about his victims. That’s why they were silent about it for years. The only thing they care about is concocting another fake scandal like Russiagate to smear President Trump with lies. No one is falling for this BS. https://t.co/u3pHgBtQDf — JD Vance (@JDVance) September 8, 2025 The Journal, back in July, reported on the contents of the letter. Trump quickly called the report phony and moved to take legal action against the paper. A day after the report was published, the president filed a federal libel lawsuit against Dow Jones, News Corp, Rupert Murdoch, and two Wall Street Journal reporters. He’s suing for libel, assault, and slander. “The Wall Street Journal, and Rupert Murdoch, personally, were warned directly by President Donald J. Trump that the supposed letter they printed by President Trump to Epstein was a FAKE and, if they print it, they will be sued,” Trump said in a Truth Social post at the time. Trump said that Murdoch, owner of News Corp, “stated that he would take care of it.” “But, obviously, did not have the power to do so,” Trump added. As The Daily Wire previously reported, although Trump and Epstein were friendly for several years when they both lived in New York City, there is no evidence that Trump was involved in any of Epstein’s criminal wrongdoing. Epstein was not accused of sexual relations with young girls until 2005, about a year after Trump kicked him out of his Mar-a-Lago club and the two had a falling out. Nathan Gay contributed to this report. Related: Trump Files Massive Libel Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal Over ‘Fake’ Epstein Letter

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine replacing a daily pill with just two injections a year. That is now a reality in Europe, where the European Commission has approved the first twice-yearly shot to prevent HIV. The drug, lenacapavir, marketed as Yeytuo, is already being hailed as a turning point in public health. In clinical trials, the medicine proved 100 percent effective in preventing HIV transmission. For experts, that makes it one of the most striking breakthroughs of 2024, and one with very practical implications. Daily adherence to medication has long been a barrier in prevention. Cutting that to two visits per year could make protection far more accessible. A timely intervention The decision comes against a backdrop of rising HIV cases. In 2023 alone, more than 24,700 people were newly diagnosed across the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. This is an increase of nearly 12 percent over the previous year. Public health advocates warn that prevention tools must keep pace if Europe hopes to reverse that trend. “This underscores the transformative potential of Yeytuo,” said Dr. Dietmar Berger, chief medical officer at Gilead Sciences, the company behind the drug. The European Commission’s quick approval, just a month after the European Medicines Agency recommended it, signals how urgent the need has become. From Brussels to beyond The green light means Yeytuo will soon be available across EU countries as well as in Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Regulatory approvals are also moving forward elsewhere: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has signed off, and applications are in progress in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Switzerland, Argentina, Mexico, and Peru. The World Health Organization has endorsed the shot as another option in the prevention toolkit. To widen global access, Gilead has agreed to permit generic production in 120 lower-income countries where HIV remains widespread. But equitable rollout is not guaranteed. Cuts to U.S. global health funding earlier this year cast doubt on how quickly the shot can reach communities that need it most. An opportunity to close gaps Globally, HIV still affects 40.8 million people, and 630,000 lives were lost last year to AIDS-related illnesses. Public health experts stress that while Yeytuo will not eliminate the epidemic overnight, it has the potential to change the calculus of prevention as long as governments and donors commit to equitable access. The twice-yearly shot represents more than convenience. It is a reminder that solutions are within reach, but they depend on political will and sustained investment. With Europe now leading on rollout, the next chapter will be defined by how widely and fairly this innovation is shared.The post Europe approves twice-yearly HIV prevention shot amid rising cases first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM If you’ve ever caught a sensual whiff of the warm, grounding scent of palo santo smoke, you know why people call it magical. In Spanish, the name means “holy wood,” and for centuries it has been treasured across South America for both healing and spiritual purposes. Indigenous traditions from Peru to Ecuador teach that palo santo is not just wood. Palo santo carries the spirit of the tree itself. That’s why fallen branches are left untouched for years before being used, allowing the tree’s essence to deepen and strengthen. Where palo santo grows This tree thrives in the dry, tropical forests of Central and South America, stretching from Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to the Galápagos Islands. For generations, its smoke has been used to clear energy from homes and people, to call in creativity, and even to ease physical complaints like coughs, headaches, or anxiety. In Peru and Ecuador, its fragrant burn has another practical role: a natural mosquito repellent. Smudging: ritual with the four elements One of the most familiar ways to use palo santo is through smudging. The ritual weaves together fire (the flame), earth (the wood itself), air (the smoke), and water (often represented by a shell used to catch embers). This blending of elements turns a simple act of burning wood into something symbolic: a way to clear away old energy and make space for the new. Many people pair the ritual with affirmations, prayers, or meditation for extra focus. How to try a cleansing ritual Want to bring palo santo into your own space? Here’s a simple approach: Light a stick and let it burn for about 30 to 60 seconds until the smoke begins to curl. For personal cleansing, guide the smoke gently from head to toe. For a room, walk through slowly, starting at the back and moving toward the front door. Trace doorways and windows with the smoke as if you’re sealing in good energy. Place the stick in a heatproof dish or shell and allow it to go out naturally. Open a window to refresh the space, and take a moment to express gratitude. More than sticks: other forms of palo santo Palo santo isn’t limited to smoky rituals. Its essential oil can be added to a diffuser to ease stress, encourage relaxation, or even repel insects thanks to its limonene content. A few drops massaged into the temples may help with headaches. Resin can be burned as incense, while chips or powder are often used in aromatherapy practices. Each form offers its own gentle way to bring palo santo’s calming presence into daily life. Clearing up confusion about conservation Is palo santo endangered? The answer depends on the species. The most commonly used type, Bursera graveolens, is listed as “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, meaning it is not at risk. Another species, Bulnesia sarmientoi, found in Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, is endangered. When buying palo santo, look for ethical and sustainable sourcing to ensure the wood you’re using is the right species and harvested responsibly. A practice of respect and gratitude At its heart, palo santo is about more than fragrance. It’s about slowing down, connecting with traditions that honor nature, and using ritual as a way to reset. Whether you light a stick before meditation, diffuse its oil for calm, or simply appreciate its history, the practice invites mindfulness and gratitude for the natural world.The post Palo Santo explained: history, meaning, and mindful ways to use it first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'seared into our memories'

'What he did was atrocious'

Operation Midway Blitz Gets Started in Chicago

And on the 17th day, the legacy media finally got around to reporting the brutal murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on board a Charlotte light rail. Rather than simply reporting the inconvenient story straight up, though, NBC saw fit to engage in a little Trumpwashing. Watch the report in its entirety, as aired on NBC Nightly News on Monday, September 8th, 2025: TOM LLAMAS: Back here at home, new surveillance footage of a shocking attack on a young woman riding public transit. Jesse Kirsch has details on the suspect and why President Trump is commenting on the attack. And a warning, you may find some of these images disturbing.  JESSE KIRSCH: This is the moment Iryna Zarutska boarded a late-night train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Video released by authorities shows her in her pizzeria work uniform as she scrolls on her phone. Police say less than five minutes after Zyrutska sat down, the man behind her pulled a knife from his pocket, unfolded the blade and struck at the 23-year-old woman three times, stabbing her in the throat. Passengers on the train later appearing to help her. Investigators say the suspect is 34-year-old DeCarlos Brown Jr., who is now charged with murder. According to an obituary, she was Ukrainian. A fundraising page said she recently came to the U.S. seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning. The August 22nd attack sending a chill through the Queen City. RAIL PASSEENGER: I was shocked to hear that. I was like, really? Because I just r- I just rode it like hours before. KIRSCH: Today, President Trump weighing in on the attack. DONALD TRUMP: Well, they’re evil people. We have to be able to handle that. If we don't handle that, we don't have a country. KIRSCH: The president blaming Democrats for Zarutska’s death, pointing to the suspect’s criminal history. Police and court records show Brown was arrested more than a dozen times including for assault. North Carolina's Democratic governor says the state needs more police officers and is calling on lawmakers to pass legislation which the governor believes will, quote: “stop these horrific crimes and hold violent criminals accountable.” Tom. LLAMAS: All right. Jesse Kirsch for us. The Trumpwashing tease was set early on, in Tom Llamas’s introduction to the report, which framed the story. Correspondent Jesse Kirsch then went into his report, which narrated the horrendous details of the crime and made note of the defendant’s criminal record. It was at this point that Kirsch reacted to President Donald Trump weighing in on cashless bail. As if that were scandalous. Kirsch then closes out the report with a quote from North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, making sure to work Stein’s partisan ID into the close. This is a typical tactic of legacy media when forced into reporting on an inconvenient story they previously omitted. The horrible thing that happened takes a back seat to whatever Trump said in reaction.  As was the case with the stories of Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, Rachel Morin, and so many others, the legacies held off on reporting this horrific story until an explosive element made it unavoidable. In the aforementioned cases, the explosive element is the illegal immigrant status of the perpetrators. In the Zarutska murder, the explosive element is the video of the killing. ABC ran a cleaner report for World News Tonight, with none of the bolstering of Gov. Stein as seen on NBC. This is much more than can be said for the CBS Evening News, which omitted the story altogether after covering it in the morning. There were a great deal of inanities that the legacy media stuffed their newscasts with- even some local crime stories, while avoiding this terrible story for two and a half weeks. Will there be spontaneous reporting on the local failures that led to this terrible outcome And will there be an effort to report these without pointing to some statement of Trump’s? Only time will tell. Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on ABC World News Tonight on Monday, September 8th, 2025: ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT 9/8/25 6:39 PM DAVID MUIR: Now, to the horrific attack making national headlines. ABC News now obtaining chilling images, police say the suspect sitting behind an unsuspecting passenger in a train in North Carolina, then rising up and attacking her. We will not show the video of the attack itself, but we warn you, this is disturbing. Here's Stephanie Ramos. STEPHANIE RAMOS: Tonight, growing outrage after a gruesome random attack on a commuter train in Charlotte. The newly released surveillance video begins like an ordinary night. Iryna Zarutska getting on the train, still wearing the hat and t-shirt from the restaurant where she just finished her shift. Seated behind her, in the red sweatshirt, is DeCarlos Brown Jr. About 4 1/2 minutes later, Brown rises from his seat and unprovoked, the video shows him stab her multiple times. Brown walking through the car with blood dripping behind him as a crowd of people rush to tend to Zarutska, who was declared dead at the scene. Officers arresting Brown as he stepped off the train. The 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was born in Kyiv. She fled the war in Ukraine with her family in 2022, who write in her obituary that she was “a gifted and passionate artist,” and loved animals. DeCarlos Brown is a repeat offender with a violent history including armed robbery, with a misdemeanor case pending at the time of the attack. He's now facing first degree murder. The incident drawing national attention and outrage from President Trump, who spoke against cashless bail. DONALD TRUMP: Cashless bail started a wave in our country, where a killer kills somebody and is out on the street by the afternoon. In many cases, going out and killing again. RAMOS: David, the suspect also has a history of mental health issues. A judge has ordered he be evaluated at a hospital. The suspect is due in court later this month. David. MUIR: Stephanie Ramos tonight. Steph, thank you.  

CNN Carries Water for Dems, Swears Shoplifting’s Done AGAIN ... While Locked Shelves Beg to Differ