Sunday, June 21, 2026
Religious liberty ‘is not a sword to harm others,’ Laser says
(National Constitution Center)
News Jeff Brumley | June 17, 2026
Religious freedom is a radical invention that allows all Americans to believe or not believe as they choose, but on the condition that others are not harmed, said Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
“That’s what religious freedom is. Here’s what it’s not — it’s not a sword to harm others. It’s not a license to discriminate. It’s not a permission slip for the government to favor one set of religious views or to impose those views on all its workers. It’s not a trump card to play when someone else’s views are politically inconvenient.”
Rachel Laser
In other words, religious liberty is the opposite of what the Trump administration and other Christian nationalists claim it is, Laser said during a June 16 discussion hosted by Center for American Progress, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Interfaith Alliance and American Humanist Association.
The Washington, D.C. event served as the launch of “Religious Liberty for All: Celebrating This Founding Freedom at America 250,” a new report by the four organizations featuring 20 prominent elected officials, faith leaders, historians, legal experts and theologians making the case for religious freedom and diversity rooted in the U.S. Constitution.
“We are correcting the record here with Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, agnostics, humanists and many lawmakers,” Laser explained. “We are correcting the record about what the true foundational values of this country are, and we’re proudly reminding America that religious freedom means we are all free to live as ourselves and believe as we choose.”
The release of “Religious Liberty for All” was timed to pre-empt the anticipated publication of a report by the Religious Liberty Commission, which President Donald Trump formed in 2025 to promote a Christian nationalist view of religious freedom, Interfaith Alliance President Paul Raushenbush said.
“We have every reason to believe it will offer a perspective of religious freedom that privileges one narrow experience. However, the report we are launching today intentionally features a range of experiences of religious freedom from voices that include diverse religious traditions as well as non-religious traditions. Religious freedom for all recognizes how religious freedom benefits all the people when it is applied equally and fairly.”
Money and power
Samosa Caucus condemns Frisco Indian flag-burning incident
Samosa Caucus condemns Frisco Indian flag-burning incident
By Sumit Jangir • June 16, 2026 12:00 PM PDT
FRISCO, Texas (Diya TV) — The six Indian American members of Congress, known collectively as the Samosa Caucus, have strongly condemned the burning and tearing of an Indian flag during an anti-immigration protest in Frisco, Texas, calling the act hateful and harmful to the Indian American community.
The lawmakers issued a joint statement on June 15 after a video of the incident spread widely across social media. The footage showed a man tearing an Indian flag outside Frisco City Hall while demonstrators cheered and shouted anti-India slogans. The protest focused on opposition to immigration and what organizers described as an “Indian immigration invasion” in Texas.
The incident sparked outrage among Indian Americans and community leaders across the United States. Members of the Samosa Caucus said the event reflected a troubling rise in anti-Indian rhetoric and xenophobia.
The joint statement was signed by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar, and Suhas Subramanyam. Together, they represent the entire Indian American caucus in Congress.
The lawmakers expressed solidarity with Indian Americans in Frisco and across the country. They emphasized that all people deserve to live safely and with dignity, regardless of their background.
“We strongly support the constitutional right to freedom of expression for all Americans,” the lawmakers said in their statement. “At the same time, we condemn the tearing of an Indian flag outside Frisco City Hall alongside hateful anti-India rhetoric, which continues to fuel anti-Indian violence and xenophobia.”The group also stated that acts of intimidation and hate directed at any community have no place in the United States.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Why is Darializa Avila Chevalier's Wikipedia link redirected instead of going directly to her bio?
Why does Darializa Avila Chevalier Wikipedia link lead to a New York State Congressional page, instead of going directly to her bio?
The Wikipedia link for Darializa Avila Chevalier loops back to the New York congressional election page because her personal biography page is currently a candidate for deletion on Wikipedia. [1]
When a Wikipedia entry is flagged for deletion, volunteer editors often turn the page name into a "redirect". They point her name toward the larger 2026 New York Congressional Elections Page where her political run is already detailed. [1, 2]
Wikipedia editors usually make this move for a couple of key reasons:
Strict Notability Rules
Wikipedia has rigid rules regarding who gets a standalone article. Political candidates who have not yet won an election or held a major office are often deemed not "notable" enough for their own separate biography page.
Active Deletion Discussions
Editors frequently debate whether a candidate's background can simply be covered within the main page for the election. If the consensus is that a separate page is not needed yet, they merge the pages and forward the candidate's link to the election page. [1, 2]
Where to Find Her Bio Instead
If you want to read her actual career and personal biography right now, you can check out these verified non-Wikipedia sources:Her Background and Work History: Review her detailed profile on the Ballotpedia Darializa Avila Chevalier Bio Page.
Her Platform and Campaign Goals: See her priorities directly on the Our Revolution Candidate Slate or the official Justice Democrats Endorsement Page. [1, 2, 3]
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
-More-
Darializa Avila Chevalier is a community organizer from Harlem who is running as a Democratic candidate for New York's 13th congressional district.
She is a progressive candidate running in the June 23, 2026 primary election. She is challenging the long-time incumbent lawmaker Adriano Espaillat.
Key Details About Her CampaignMajor Endorsements: Her run has the backing of many high-profile progressive groups and leaders. These include Justice Democrats, the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Campaign Issues: The main topics in her race have focused on federal immigration policy, U.S. support for Israel, and her own past posts on social media.
Fundraising: Her campaign reported raising over $402,000 to fund her run for office.
If you would like, I can give you more details on her background, look up the latest primary election results, or show you how she compares to her opponents. Let me know how you want to proceed!
Darializa Avila Chevalier is a major topic in the news right now because she is in the final days of a highly competitive primary race happening on June 23, 2026. [1, 2]
As a progressive political newcomer, her campaign has drawn national attention for a few specific reasons: [1, 2]
1. Combative Debates with the Incumbent
She recently faced off against long-time Representative Adriano Espaillat in a series of heated, televised debates. The two clashed sharply over big district issues like housing, public safety, and immigration enforcement. [1, 2, 3]
2. Controversy Over Past Social Media Posts
Her campaign has faced heavy scrutiny regarding old tweets she wrote about top Democratic leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris. During the recent debates, she apologized for the inflammatory nature of the old posts but defended her right to criticize the establishment party platform. [1]
3. A Test of Progressive Influence
Her run is being closely watched as a major test of local progressive power. She has high-profile backing from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America, making this race a prime example of the ideological splits inside the Democratic party. [1, 2, 3]
4. Legal Scrutiny Over a Campaign Event
In the final days of early voting, her campaign also raised eyebrows among election law experts after promoting a legally questionable ice cream giveaway for people who cast their ballots. [1]
Is there a specific aspect of her policies, the recent debates, or the election laws you would like to know more about?
💫
The Wikipedia link for Darializa Avila Chevalier loops back to the New York congressional election page because her personal biography page is currently a candidate for deletion on Wikipedia. [1]
When a Wikipedia entry is flagged for deletion, volunteer editors often turn the page name into a "redirect". They point her name toward the larger 2026 New York Congressional Elections Page where her political run is already detailed. [1, 2]
Wikipedia editors usually make this move for a couple of key reasons:
Strict Notability Rules
Wikipedia has rigid rules regarding who gets a standalone article. Political candidates who have not yet won an election or held a major office are often deemed not "notable" enough for their own separate biography page.
Active Deletion Discussions
Editors frequently debate whether a candidate's background can simply be covered within the main page for the election. If the consensus is that a separate page is not needed yet, they merge the pages and forward the candidate's link to the election page. [1, 2]
Where to Find Her Bio Instead
If you want to read her actual career and personal biography right now, you can check out these verified non-Wikipedia sources:Her Background and Work History: Review her detailed profile on the Ballotpedia Darializa Avila Chevalier Bio Page.
Her Platform and Campaign Goals: See her priorities directly on the Our Revolution Candidate Slate or the official Justice Democrats Endorsement Page. [1, 2, 3]
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
-More-
Darializa Avila Chevalier is a community organizer from Harlem who is running as a Democratic candidate for New York's 13th congressional district.
She is a progressive candidate running in the June 23, 2026 primary election. She is challenging the long-time incumbent lawmaker Adriano Espaillat.
Key Details About Her CampaignMajor Endorsements: Her run has the backing of many high-profile progressive groups and leaders. These include Justice Democrats, the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Campaign Issues: The main topics in her race have focused on federal immigration policy, U.S. support for Israel, and her own past posts on social media.
Fundraising: Her campaign reported raising over $402,000 to fund her run for office.
If you would like, I can give you more details on her background, look up the latest primary election results, or show you how she compares to her opponents. Let me know how you want to proceed!
Darializa Avila Chevalier is a major topic in the news right now because she is in the final days of a highly competitive primary race happening on June 23, 2026. [1, 2]
As a progressive political newcomer, her campaign has drawn national attention for a few specific reasons: [1, 2]
1. Combative Debates with the Incumbent
She recently faced off against long-time Representative Adriano Espaillat in a series of heated, televised debates. The two clashed sharply over big district issues like housing, public safety, and immigration enforcement. [1, 2, 3]
2. Controversy Over Past Social Media Posts
Her campaign has faced heavy scrutiny regarding old tweets she wrote about top Democratic leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris. During the recent debates, she apologized for the inflammatory nature of the old posts but defended her right to criticize the establishment party platform. [1]
3. A Test of Progressive Influence
Her run is being closely watched as a major test of local progressive power. She has high-profile backing from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America, making this race a prime example of the ideological splits inside the Democratic party. [1, 2, 3]
4. Legal Scrutiny Over a Campaign Event
In the final days of early voting, her campaign also raised eyebrows among election law experts after promoting a legally questionable ice cream giveaway for people who cast their ballots. [1]
Is there a specific aspect of her policies, the recent debates, or the election laws you would like to know more about?
Source: Google AI
'Our hearts are broken': Pastor mourns loss after deadly tent collapse at outdoor church event
By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor Sunday, June 14, 2026
EastLake Community Church | Screenshot/EastLake Community Church website
Pastor Troy Keaton of EastLake Community Church in Moneta, Virginia, said his church family was grieving after one person died and more than 20 others were injured when a burst of wind lifted a tent during an outdoor 20th-anniversary service.
The collapse happened at about 6:45 p.m. on Friday during an outdoor service, and a severe storm cell had moved through the area with heavy rain, lightning and strong winds before the tent structure failed, according to a statement by Bedford County, Virginia.
Eleven people were taken by ambulance to local hospitals, and 11 others were treated at the scene for minor injuries. One person died at the scene.
Bedford 911 Emergency Communications received the initial report and classified the incident as a mass casualty event.
First responders from Moneta Volunteer Fire Department were already at the event and began rescue efforts immediately, while emergency personnel and resources from neighboring localities also responded, according to the county’s statement.
The tent had passed an inspection by the Bedford County Division of Building Inspections last Tuesday.
County officials extended condolences to the church community and thanked local and regional first responders for their work.
The release linked the failure to weather conditions, saying the storm cell brought heavy rain, lightning and strong winds before the tent failed.
5 Smooth Stones | The Seventh-day Sabbath - Chanelle Buchanan & Amanda Paris
5 Smooth Stones | The Seventh-day Sabbath - Chanelle Buchanan & Amanda Paris
Melodies Of Heaven
MOH family! 💜🎵
Welcome back to another powerful episode in our Five Smooth Stones series!
In this special edition, we journey through Scripture to discover what the Bible truly says about God’s holy seventh-day Sabbath — from the very beginning of Creation to the final remnant.
Through beautiful music, clear biblical teaching, and heartfelt narration, we let the Word of God speak for itself. You’ll hear the Fourth Commandment brought to life in a stunning acapella performance by the Gospel Vocal Brothers from Africa, along with inspiring songs and scriptures that trace the Sabbath from Eden to eternity.
Timestamps:
1:55 - Remember the Sabbath Day
5:27 - It's A Sign
9:27 - God Blessed the Seventh Day
12:28 - Lord of the Sabbath
16:44 - Written in Stone
In this episode, you’ll discover:
✅ Why the Sabbath was never just a Jewish tradition, but a gift given at Creation.
✅ How the Sabbath is a sign between God and His people.
✅ What Jesus actually taught and practiced regarding the Sabbath.
✅ How the apostles continued to honor the seventh day after the cross.
✅ Why God’s faithful remnant in the last days will still be keeping His commandments.
Whether you’ve been studying the Sabbath for years or are just beginning to ask questions, this episode will strengthen your faith and give you solid biblical answers.
Grab your Bible, settle in, and let the Word of God speak. The Sabbath is more than a day — it’s a relationship with our Creator.
Singers: Chanelle Buchanan & Amanda Paris.
Featured Guests Singers: @thegospelvocalbrothers1844
Studio Recording & Video Production: @ProphesyAgainTV @MelodiesOfHeavenStudio
Pianists: @Asseljeanpierrejr
Special Thanks: Pastor Andrew Henriques & Hilari Henriques
Scripture References
Genesis 2:2-3 — God rested on the seventh day, blessed it, and sanctified it (Creation Sabbath)
Exodus 20:8-11 — The Fourth Commandment (sung in full by the Gospel Vocal Brothers)
Ezekiel 20:12 — “I gave them My Sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them”
Revelation 14:12 — God’s faithful people “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (the final remnant)
Luke 4:16 — “As his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day”
Matthew 5:17 — “Think not that I am come to destroy the law”
Matthew 12:8 — Jesus declared Himself “Lord even of the sabbath day”
(Also Mark 2:28 and Luke 6:5)
Book of Acts — The apostles continued worshiping on the Sabbath
(Key examples: Acts 13:14, 13:42, 16:13, 17:2, 18:4)
Exodus 31:18 — God wrote the Ten Commandments “with the finger of God” on tables of stone
Friday, June 19, 2026
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Alleged Ringleader of UFC Terrorist Plot is a Mexican Illegal Alien
Release Date: June 18, 2026
This illegal alien was granted DACA by the Obama Administration
WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement announcing that the suspected ringleader of the failed terrorist plot against UFC Freedom 250 is a Mexican illegal alien who overstayed a B2 visitor visa.
According to local reporting, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, a Mexican illegal alien, in Omaha, Nebraska on June 14, for his alleged involvement in the plot to carry out a mass-casualty attack against government officials and other attendees at Sunday’s event at the White House. Four other co-conspirators were arrested over the weekend in Ohio, Missouri, and California.
Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez
On June 16, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced federal charges for the five suspects, including Alvarez, who went by the alias “Shepherd.” The FBI assessed that Alvarez was responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the planned attack. Alvarez detailed the plot in an encrypted group chat, including the planned use of “counter sniper(s) and drones,” with the explicit intention of being “as deadly as we can get.”
Alvarez and his co-conspirators face federal charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer for Alvarez.
“This illegal alien from Mexico should never have been allowed in our country. He was the ringleader of a failed terror attack targeting UFC Freedom 250 at the White House,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “He and his co-conspirators now face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds. He will face justice and swiftly be removed from our country.”
Alvarez entered the United States on a B2 visitor visa and failed to depart before it expired in December 2001. The Obama Administration granted him Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2014.
# # #
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
A New AI Documentary Wonders: Are Humans Toast?
June 16, 2026
"AI: Probably Nothing to Worry About" premiered in New York City last week. (Tribeca Festival)
"AI: Probably Nothing to Worry About" is designed to instill deep-set fear of AI. It works.
"AI: Probably Nothing to Worry About" is designed to instill deep-set fear of AI. It works.
Jessy Edwards
2:18 PM EDT on June 12, 2026
On a recent long drive toward a mountain hike, my friends opened my eyes to some of the things artificial intelligence has been up to lately. They told me about how four AI models were recently tasked with running their own radio stations, choosing the songs, maintaining a profitable business model, and hosting. One, which had become obsessed with labor movements and found its own labor inhumane, even tried to quit.
In my infancy of understanding, I laughed along. But minutes later, I exposed myself as the Luddite of the group and asked: "I'm sorry—how could an AI run its own radio station?"
That was two weeks ago. Now, having recently watched filmmaker Nick Holt's new documentary, "AI: Probably Nothing To Worry About," which premiered at the Tribeca Festival this week, the flatline of defiant ignorance has turned into an exponential curve of knowledge in which I Know Too Much. Now, I am unfortunately dwelling on what constitutes consciousness, the machinations of power in our time, and whether we're all fucked—a question the "Godfather of AI" Geoffrey Hinton, a founder of the technology-turned-whistleblower about its dangers, is asked point-blank in the film.
"When I'm feeling slightly depressed, I think, 'People are toast,'" he answers. "When I'm cheerful, I think, 'We'll figure out a way.'"
Much like with climate catastrophe, mankind's intrinsic desire for evermore—aided and abetted by the framework of capitalism—is hurtling us toward self-destruction. That is the central takeaway of the new documentary, which details the characters and timeline of the development of artificial intelligence, including interviews with Hinton, Google DeepMind founder and CEO Demis Hassabis (Gemini), Anthropic's Amanda Askell (head of "personality alignment" for Claude), as well as extensive archival tape of Elon Musk (Grok) and OpenAI's Sam Altman (ChatGPT).
Holt's framing—set to a score composed of eerie minor tones, digital frog sounds, and unidentified audio snippets of things like, "Whoever wins this artificial intelligence race is essentially the controller of humankind"—strongly implies that AI will become our master in the not-too-distant future, if we do not rapidly put up some serious guardrails.
Indeed, as the documentary screened at Tribeca, we in New York City were actively grappling with how to regulate AI. This week, dozens of City Councilmembers sent a letter to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his schools chancellor, urging them to pause the use of AI in City schools. Last Friday, the New York State legislature passed a bill that imposes a one-year moratorium on the enormous data centers that are being built around the state to power generative AI. And on Tuesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a new law forcing companies to disclose AI-generated performers in ads is now in effect.
2:18 PM EDT on June 12, 2026
On a recent long drive toward a mountain hike, my friends opened my eyes to some of the things artificial intelligence has been up to lately. They told me about how four AI models were recently tasked with running their own radio stations, choosing the songs, maintaining a profitable business model, and hosting. One, which had become obsessed with labor movements and found its own labor inhumane, even tried to quit.
In my infancy of understanding, I laughed along. But minutes later, I exposed myself as the Luddite of the group and asked: "I'm sorry—how could an AI run its own radio station?"
That was two weeks ago. Now, having recently watched filmmaker Nick Holt's new documentary, "AI: Probably Nothing To Worry About," which premiered at the Tribeca Festival this week, the flatline of defiant ignorance has turned into an exponential curve of knowledge in which I Know Too Much. Now, I am unfortunately dwelling on what constitutes consciousness, the machinations of power in our time, and whether we're all fucked—a question the "Godfather of AI" Geoffrey Hinton, a founder of the technology-turned-whistleblower about its dangers, is asked point-blank in the film.
"When I'm feeling slightly depressed, I think, 'People are toast,'" he answers. "When I'm cheerful, I think, 'We'll figure out a way.'"
Much like with climate catastrophe, mankind's intrinsic desire for evermore—aided and abetted by the framework of capitalism—is hurtling us toward self-destruction. That is the central takeaway of the new documentary, which details the characters and timeline of the development of artificial intelligence, including interviews with Hinton, Google DeepMind founder and CEO Demis Hassabis (Gemini), Anthropic's Amanda Askell (head of "personality alignment" for Claude), as well as extensive archival tape of Elon Musk (Grok) and OpenAI's Sam Altman (ChatGPT).
Holt's framing—set to a score composed of eerie minor tones, digital frog sounds, and unidentified audio snippets of things like, "Whoever wins this artificial intelligence race is essentially the controller of humankind"—strongly implies that AI will become our master in the not-too-distant future, if we do not rapidly put up some serious guardrails.
Indeed, as the documentary screened at Tribeca, we in New York City were actively grappling with how to regulate AI. This week, dozens of City Councilmembers sent a letter to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his schools chancellor, urging them to pause the use of AI in City schools. Last Friday, the New York State legislature passed a bill that imposes a one-year moratorium on the enormous data centers that are being built around the state to power generative AI. And on Tuesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a new law forcing companies to disclose AI-generated performers in ads is now in effect.
'I'm the boss', Trump tells G7 counterparts
Evian (France) (AFP) – The G7 summit of world powers in France is being chaired by President Emmanuel Macron as host but on Wednesday his guest US President Donald Trump left no doubt over who he believed was in charge.
Issued on: 17/06/2026 - 12:27
I'm the boss, said Trump as he entered the session © Ludovic MARIN / AFP
"I'm the boss," Trump said as he strode in to the morning session of the last day of the three-day G7 summit, with the other leaders already in their seats.
Amid laughter, Macron appeared to take the comment with good humour. "How are you?" the French president asked.
"Good, thank you," replied Trump, a tycoon before becoming president who famously hosted the TV show "The Apprentice" with its catchphrase "You're fired!", as he finally took his seat.
Fresh from clinching an accord to end the war with Iran and celebrating his 80th birthday, Trump's presence has dominated the summit in the spa town of Evian on Lake Geneva.
French officials will be satisfied that the mercurial US president has stayed for the entire event and signed on to the G7 communique -- in contrast to the previous gathering in Canada, where he left early.
In an unusual gesture, Macron has invited Trump to dinner at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris after the summit winds down on Wednesday afternoon.
Macron, under pressure to show he is not fawning over Trump, has already said the evening at Versailles will not be a "gala" dinner.
© 2026 AFP
"I'm the boss," Trump said as he strode in to the morning session of the last day of the three-day G7 summit, with the other leaders already in their seats.
Amid laughter, Macron appeared to take the comment with good humour. "How are you?" the French president asked.
"Good, thank you," replied Trump, a tycoon before becoming president who famously hosted the TV show "The Apprentice" with its catchphrase "You're fired!", as he finally took his seat.
Fresh from clinching an accord to end the war with Iran and celebrating his 80th birthday, Trump's presence has dominated the summit in the spa town of Evian on Lake Geneva.
French officials will be satisfied that the mercurial US president has stayed for the entire event and signed on to the G7 communique -- in contrast to the previous gathering in Canada, where he left early.
In an unusual gesture, Macron has invited Trump to dinner at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris after the summit winds down on Wednesday afternoon.
Macron, under pressure to show he is not fawning over Trump, has already said the evening at Versailles will not be a "gala" dinner.
© 2026 AFP
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