Alexei Navalny‚ Russia’s most prominent political opposition figure‚ has died in a remote Russian prison above the Arctic Circle at age 47. News of Navalny’s death came Friday from the Federal Penitentiary Service in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. In a statement‚ prison authorities said Navalny “felt unwell” after a walk in the prison yard and soon […] The post Putin’s Vocal Opponent Alexei Navalny Dies in a Remote Prison appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

During a school board meeting‚ students in the Clarkstown Central School District in upstate New York fought back against the district’s policy of allowing students to use bathrooms that correspond to their “gender identity” rather than their biological sex. The district states in its regulations that “harassment” could be “based on any characteristic‚ including but not limited to a person’s actual or perceived‚” then lists a number of characteristics‚ including “gender (including gender identity or expression).” It explains‚ “Gender identity is one’s self-expression as being male or female‚ as distinguished from actual biological sex or sex assigned at birth.” A girl student stated‚ “I’m here to express that I no longer feel safe within the four walls at Festa (Felix Festa Middle School) and I feel that my freedom has been taken away from me. I have been waiting since second grade for swimming during school at Festa‚ only now to find out I am sharing a locker room with a trans female who may still have a penis. I do not feel comfortable being exposed to that and I no longer feel safe. This has nothing to do with any[one] being a bad person. It is simply that I do not feel mature enough to view any man’s penis‚ whether they identify as female or a man. A penis is a penis.” “Private spaces are one of the most important things in a growing boy or girl’s life‚” another student declared. “Private spaces we as children go to recognize a change in us and our body … Everyone should feel safe‚ but I and my fellow students are being forced to sign petitions to allow these things to follow through. It becomes bullying. You are not teaching me to be okay with who you are; you are pushing me to show my vulnerable parts to somebody I may not trust. But this is not a hate speech; this is a 15-year-old student who’s affected by the decisions you push upon us. I am the child on the other side of this‚ and I and my friends want our sense of privacy to be valued by the higher-ups.” “Central to this debate is the issue at hand of allowing individuals who are biological men or women to enter bathrooms or locker rooms that do not align with their biological sex‚” a third student propounded. “This practice leaves many feeling vulnerable and breaches a moral and ethical boundary‚ suggesting that those who identify differently should utilize single occupancy bathrooms. This stance is not rooted in transphobia but in a concern for the safety and privacy of all students.” “I’m filled with apprehension at the thought of using these facilities under existing guidelines; policies in my eyes fail to protect our privacy and safety in spaces where we should feel most secure‚” a fourth student added. “The policy‚ which seems to have been adopted without thorough consideration of its impact on the student body‚ leaves many of us feeling exposed and vulnerable. We need leaders who prioritize the well-being‚ privacy‚ and safety of every student. Leaders who are willing to listen‚ recess‚ and if necessary‚ reverse decisions that do not serve the best interests of those who [they] have pledged to protect.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “This policy change has sparked fear among a significant portion of our student population; particularly girls‚ who now feel their safety and privacy are compromised‚” a fifth student contended. “The idea that facilities should be accessed based on self-identification‚ rather than biological sex‚ is not just troubling‚ it’s a blatant disregard for the well-being of students. To allow individuals into bathrooms and locker rooms that do not align with their biological sex is beyond discomforting. It is‚ frankly‚ lunacy and unacceptable. This isn’t about denying rights or excluding anyone; it’s about ensuring that every student’s right to privacy and safety is upheld. What’s currently happening is that our trusted board is in alignment with the degradation of the moral fabric of our community.” POWERFUL! Students in @CCSDSchools begged the school board to reverse their bathroom policy which allows males to use the girl’s bathrooms/locker rooms. "I no longer feel safe… I don't feel mature enough to see any man's p*nis.” These young girls shouldn’t feel unsafe going… pic.twitter.com/cFdM1oSLIr — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 15‚ 2024

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny‚ who Russian authorities said Friday died in prison‚ survived an assassination attempt several years ago that he said was orchestrated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Navalny led an opposition movement against Putin in Russia‚ often campaigning against the Russian president and criticizing the government for deep corruption among its top officials. Navalny‚ who was frequently arrested and imprisoned during his work‚ was sentenced to 19 years in prison in August 2023 for “extremism.” In 2020‚ Navalny said in an interview with 60 Minutes that Putin attempted to have him assassinated through the use of the deadly nerve agent Novichok. In August of that year‚ Navalny collapsed during a flight and was rushed to a hospital. He was later transferred to a medical center in Berlin‚ where doctors found Novichok in his system. “I said to the flight attendant‚ and I kind of shocked him with my statement‚ ‘well‚ I was poisoned and I am going to die’ and I immediately laid down under his feet‚” Navalny said‚ describing his collapse. “It’s maybe the most toxic agent invented by humans‚” Navalny said‚ describing Novichok. He said the type he was infected with is a new version‚ and that it shows that Putin has been secretly developing more potent forms of the nerve agent. Asked how he is certain that Putin was behind the poisoning‚ Navalny said that Novichok is a tightly controlled substance that only Putin would be able to use. “Even for an oligarch‚ it’s impossible to get this Novichok. It’s not something that you can buy at the store even if you have millions‚ billions of dollars. Maybe more important‚ you cannot use it. You would kill yourself and everyone around‚” Navalny said. “Then‚ this huge coverup operation‚ there is no criminal investigation so far. If Putin is not responsible‚ why is there no criminal investigation‚” he continued. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Novichok‚ developed in the Soviet Union‚ made headlines in 2018 when it was found in Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Skripal and his daughter were hospitalized for weeks after they were found unresponsive on a park bench in the U.K. After he was hospitalized in Russia‚ Navalny said officials blocked him from leaving. Navalny’s wife went public‚ accusing Russian authorities of trapping her husband in the hospital. “It was a big fight‚ and they thought after 48 hours‚ the poison would be untraceable. And they just keep me there until the 48 would be gone‚” Navalny said. Berlin doctors found traces of Novichok in Navalny’s system‚ and a test ran on a water bottle in Navalny’s hotel room came back positive for the nerve agent‚ as well‚ Navalny said. “I think for Putin‚ why he’s using this chemical weapon‚ to do both: kill me and terrify others‚” Navalny said. “It’s something really scary for people to just drop dead. There are no guns‚ there are not shots‚ and in a couple of hours you just drop dead. And without any traces on your body. It’s something terrifying‚ and Putin is enjoying it.”

The ongoing legal battle involving defense attorneys for the man suspected of killing two teenage girls in Delphi‚ Indiana‚ back in 2017 continues‚ with prosecutors planning to call witnesses for their allegations that the attorneys are in contempt of court. Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland provided a list on Wednesday to Richard Allen’s defense attorneys that detailed the names of witnesses he will call and the exhibits he will present during a March 18 hearing regarding the defense attorney’s alleged contempt‚ the Journal &; Courier reported. A public filing does not list the witnesses or exhibits. McLeland also asked that Special Judge Frances Gull – whom Allen’s defense attorneys tried to get removed from the case – order the defense attorneys‚ Brad Rozzi and Andrew Baldwin‚ to turn over their witness and exhibit list before March 7. It does not appear Gull has issued the order. Allen was charged in October 2022 with two counts of murder while committing or attempting to commit the kidnapping of 13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German on a hiking trail in 2017. In late January‚ McLeland filed a request to amend the charges to include two additional counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping‚ WTHR reported. The contempt claims came in a filing from McLeland on January 29. Baldwin and Rozzi’s attorney‚ David Hennessy‚ filed a motion this week asking for clarification on the allegations‚ saying the allegations suffered from “insufficiencies.” In one example‚ Hennessy noted that McLeland accused his clients of violating the court’s order regarding statements about the case. He cited a news release from November 2022 – which was before the court issued a gag order. Hennessy said McLeland has not explained how this amounted to contempt of court. McLeland has not specifically addressed Hennessy’s points. Hennessy also noted that McLeland has to file the contempt case separate from Allen’s criminal case. If they are found in contempt of court‚ Rozzi and Baldwin could face incarceration or fines‚ the Courier reported. Judge Gull had previously forced the defense attorneys to withdraw from the case‚ and the circumstances surrounding that withdrawal were presented to the Indiana Supreme Court last month. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The attorneys alleged that during a closed-door meeting with Gull‚ the judge threatened to harm the attorney’s reputation by accusing them of “gross negligence” in open court unless they withdrew from the case. The attorneys withdrew but filed a petition to represent Allen pro bono. Judge Gull then barred them from representing Allen in any capacity. The transcript‚ first obtained by WTHR‚ shows the judge planned to remove the two attorneys prior to her public announcement they had withdrawn. At the meeting‚ which included McLeland‚ the group discussed a leak of documents from Baldwin’s office‚ but Judge Gull stated that was not the only reason she wanted the attorneys removed from representing Allen. Gull said the attorneys “potentially” violated the Rules of Professional Responsibility. She told Baldwin he was “grossly negligent” for sending a sensitive email to a “Brad” who was not Rozzi‚ and questioned whether the two attorneys had fully cooperated with a gag order she had filed. She also said she had evidence the attorneys “left materials all over a conference-room table‚ accessible to anyone.” “It pains me to say this‚ but the totality of these circumstances demonstrate gross negligence and incompetence on the part of the defense team‚” Gull said. “I am unsatisfied with your representation of Mr. Allen. I am gravely concerned about his rights to have competent‚ non-negligent representation. He currently doesn’t have that right now.” Gull then said she told them this information privately but would say it in open court if they didn’t withdraw. From the transcript: Rozzi: “So basically‚ what you’re saying is ‘You guys either quit on your own accord or you make me fire you?’ That’s what-“ Gull: “No. I’m saying to you that this is my this is what [I] plan to say in court on the record when we convene at two o’clock.” Rozzi: “Well‚ so are – is the culmination of that that you’re removing us from the case?” Gull: “I will‚ based on what I’ve just shared with you.” A little later in the conversation‚ Rozzi told Gull she had “ambushed” him and Baldwin into a “forced resignation” without giving them a real opportunity to prepare for the meeting. “The options I’ve been given without any notice [from] the Court really are either I withdraw or I’m gonna be publicly shamed‚” Rozzi said‚ “And that’s the way I see this. And I think that public shaming is not only – there’s not only a professional element to that‚ I think there’s a personal element too.” While the defense attorneys attempted to get Judge Gull removed from the case‚ their request was denied‚ but they were reinstated as Allen’s attorneys.

“Outer Banks” actor Austin North is speaking out on an incident in which he allegedly attacked hospital employees while he was being treated in the emergency room.  The 27-year-old star was arrested on Tuesday following the altercation at the University Medical Center hospital in Las Vegas‚ according to a report from TMZ. Several hospital staffers were involved in the alleged altercation‚ and North was taken into custody on charges of assault and battery‚ the outlet noted. The “Outer Banks” cast member addressed the incident with an Instagram post shared to his Stories on Thursday. “I am deeply upset by the events that took place in Las Vegas this past week‚” North wrote‚ per People. “My friend drove me to the hospital because I thought I was having a heart attack. Several tests were taken‚ including blood‚ which came back negative for any drugs or alcohol in my system. I was having a severe anxiety attack.” “I have very little memory of the events that day at the hospital‚” he continued. “I have the utmost respect for healthcare workers and hospital staff. I have battled anxiety on and off for years and this was the most extreme panic attack I’ve ever had. Going forward‚ I hope to shed light on this debilitating disorder and send hope to those who have also struggled.” The actor allegedly punched one nurse in the head‚ shoved another‚ and then pushed a phlebotomist into a table. The phlebotomist reportedly hit North in the head with a tray from a nearby table in self defense‚ a police report said according to People. Hospital security was able to handcuff North to a gurney until law enforcement arrived‚ though he allegedly assaulted another unidentified hospital employee before he was restrained. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The Ohio native is best known for playing Topper in the Netflix drama series “Outer Banks.” He’s also a former Disney Channel star who appeared on the sitcom “I Didn’t Do It” from 2014 until 2015.  North was in Vegas after attending Super Bowl LVIII over the weekend.

In an unexpected twist in the political landscape‚ recent findings have indicated a significant shift among Biden supporters in Michigan‚ who now appear more inclined to consider third-party candidates in the upcoming 2024 presidential race. This development signals a growing discontent within the Democratic base and raises questions about the party’s ability to maintain its coalition. The revelation comes at a time when unity and steadfast support seem crucial for the Democrats‚ especially in battleground states like Michigan‚ which play pivotal roles in determining the outcome of presidential elections. The willingness of Biden’s backers to look beyond the traditional two-party system underscores a broader sense of disillusionment with the current political offerings. SEE IT – SO SAD: East Palestine resident says he’s had several people call him and ask him if he could block the entrance of the town so that President Biden who is visiting today a year after the disaster struck the town can’t get in. WATCH pic.twitter.com/5QhF6DDL70 — Simon Ateba (@simonateba) February 16‚ 2024 Critics argue that this trend could spell trouble for the Democratic Party‚ potentially fracturing its base and diluting its vote share in critical swing states. The prospect of Biden supporters defecting to third-party options not only highlights the challenges facing the incumbent but also reflects a broader appetite for change among the electorate. On the other side of the aisle‚ Trump supporters appear more unified and less likely to stray from their candidate‚ suggesting a solidified base that could present a formidable challenge to Democrats in 2024. This contrast in party loyalty underscores the divergent paths the two major parties are on‚ with Republicans seemingly capitalizing on a more cohesive message and vision. NAILED IT! Hemingway: If Biden Is Mentally Competent‚ Why Is There No Video Evidence? pic.twitter.com/xpqOMReHC4 — Kambree (@KamVTV) February 16‚ 2024 The inclination towards third-party candidates among Biden’s base is indicative of a desire for alternatives that better align with the values and priorities of disenchanted voters. It signals a call to action for the Democratic Party to reassess its strategies and address the concerns of its constituents more effectively. Moreover‚ this development raises important questions about the future of American politics and the viability of a multi-party system. As dissatisfaction with the status quo grows‚ the appeal of third-party candidates could reshape the political landscape‚ challenging the dominance of the two major parties. In conclusion‚ the openness of Biden supporters in Michigan to third-party candidates reveals deep-seated issues within the Democratic Party and the political system at large. As the 2024 presidential race approaches‚ all eyes will be on how these dynamics unfold and what they mean for the future of American democracy. The Democratic Party faces a critical juncture‚ needing to reconcile internal divisions and reinvigorate its base to fend off the challenges ahead.   The post Shift in Political Loyalties: Biden Supporters Eye Third-Party Options appeared first on The Conservative Brief.