Karen Read reacts as the verdict is read in her retrial in Dedham, Massachusetts.
THND Staff, June 18, 2025, 11:30 PM (ET)
The much-followed Karen Read trial ended Wednesday as jurors delivered their long-awaited verdict in Dedham, Massachusetts. This second criminal trial—following a mistrial in July 2024—brought renewed legal drama in the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe during a 2022 blizzard.
🔸 After four days of deliberation, the jury has reached a decision in the second trial of Karen Read, accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, during a 2022 blizzard.
🔸 Prosecutors say… pic.twitter.com/CkVahZT4Yy
Charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while intoxicated, and leaving the scene, Read faced a jury of twelve people after a month of emotionally charged testimony. Prosecutors depicted a scorned and drunk Read who struck O’Keefe with her SUV, leaving him to die in the snow. They presented forensic and expert evidence to back their claims, while defense attorneys portrayed a schemed conspiracy. They argued no collision occurred, suggesting O’Keefe was beaten or attacked by a dog and then abandoned by others—but not by Read.
Karen Read reacts as the verdict is read in her retrial in Dedham, Massachusetts.
A key twist this time was that the lead investigator from the first trial was dismissed after sending derogatory messages about Read. The retrial also featured new attorneys on both sides. Defense counsel notably highlighted the alleged conspiracy and expert support arguing there was “no collision.” Prosecutors countered hotly, emphasizing eyewitness memories of Read saying, “I hit him,” and moments where she acknowledged potential impact in televised interviews.
Jurors debated for around 20 hours over four days, wrestling again with complex charges—especially manslaughter, which had stalled them the first time. Their verdict, unveiled today, could mean anything from full acquittal to conviction on all counts or even a partial ruling—leaving sentencing or further legal battles ahead.
Regardless, the conclusion of the Karen Read trial marks the end of a legal saga that captured public attention with its mixture of tragedy, corruption claims, and courtroom suspense. The community now awaits the judge’s next steps—whatever they may be.
FASTag-based annual toll pass launched for private vehicles, effective August 15
THND Staff, 18 June 2025, 4:00 PM ET
In a major move expected to benefit millions of Indian motorists, the Modi government has introduced a new FASTag-based annual pass priced at ₹3,000 for private vehicles. The scheme, aimed at reducing toll expenses and improving traffic efficiency, will roll out starting August 15, 2025.
Under this new system, private non-commercial vehicle owners can purchase an annual pass valid for either 200 highway trips or one full year, whichever is exhausted first. The pass will be linked to the vehicle’s existing FASTag, allowing seamless digital toll transactions across the National Highway network.
Officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed that this move is targeted at daily commuters, long-distance travelers, and regular highway users, especially those who were previously burdened by frequent toll deductions.
⭕ BREAKING HARD: MODI GOVT LAUNCHES ₹3,000 FASTAG PASS FOR PRIVATE VEHICLES
🔸 New Annual FASTag Pass unveiled—₹3,000 for 200 trips or 1 year, whichever comes first.
🔸 Launch date: August 15, 2025—just in time for Independence Day road travel.
🔸 Only for non-commercial… pic.twitter.com/CyvfcTRarM
Sources say the idea was inspired by the success of monthly toll passes at certain booths, but this scheme offers much broader utility, covering all National Highways integrated under the FASTag ecosystem.
Transport analysts call this a “welcome step for middle-class families and working professionals,” especially for those living in satellite cities and commuting daily for work or family needs.
The government is also likely to launch an awareness campaign to guide users on how to enroll for the pass and monitor trip balances.
With fuel prices fluctuating and toll costs steadily rising, this new pass could ease financial pressure and also promote more predictable travel planning.
The scheme is not available for taxis, buses, or goods carriers, maintaining its focus on private, personal travel.
More details and registration instructions are expected to be published by NHAI in July.
Arnold Schwarzenegger emphasizes immigrant responsibility and community contribution during TV appearance
THND Staff, 18 June 2025, 2:30 PM CDT
Immigrant responsibility is the theme of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s comments on The View, where the former California governor, actor, and immigrant himself reminded newcomers:
“When you come to America, you’re a guest… you have a responsibility as an immigrant to give back to America.”
This focus on immigrant responsibility kicked off a lively discussion on legality, integration, and mutual respect.
⭕ BREAKING HARD: SCHWARZENEGGER URGES IMMIGRANTS TO EMBRACE “IMMIGRANT RESPONSIBILITY”
🔸 Arnold Schwarzenegger says, “When you come to America, you’re a guest”—urging newcomers to behave like guests and follow legal pathways.
🔸 Emphasizes immigrant responsibility to… pic.twitter.com/2pdXVFwUCR
Schwarzenegger began by celebrating America’s immigrant history but insisted that immigrant responsibility means entering through legal channels. “Those doing illegal things… are not smart,” he stated, analogizing respect for the system to cleaning up and making your bed as a house guest would
Shifting to contributions, he urged immigrants to give back, volunteering in schools, Special Olympics, or community programs for no pay—cementing the core of immigration responsibility.
Host reactions were swift: Whoopi Goldberg pointed out that “90% of the people who come here are trying to do the right thing,” while Sunny Hostin emphasized that immigrants are statistically less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.
On ICE deportations, Schwarzenegger advocated for immigrant responsibility through comprehensive immigration reform. He called on Democrats and Republicans alike to work together for legal visa systems and enforceability rather than ideological scapegoating
Throughout the interview, Schwarzenegger repeated the phrase immigrant responsibility five times, tying legality, integration, and service into his vision for newcomers. His balanced tone—celebrating immigrants’ dreams while underscoring immigrant responsibility—sparked a national conversation on how to blend gratitude with accountability.
Newcomers to America await processing at Ellis Island, the gateway for millions of immigrants between 1892 and 1954.
The United States has long been considered a “nation of immigrants,” a place of refuge or opportunity for people worldwide. Yet attitudes toward newcomers have swung between openness and exclusion.
In the early 1600s, European colonists (Spanish in Florida; British in New England and Virginia; Dutch in New York; Swedes in Delaware) came seeking religious freedom and economic opportunity, while hundreds of thousands of Africans were brought as enslaved labor.
The first U.S. naturalization law (1790) reflected the era’s biases, allowing only “free white person[s] of good character” to become citizens. These early rules laid a foundation for immigration debates in the young republic.
After independence, immigration surged. The Irish (many fleeing the 1840s potato famine) and Germans led a wave from 1820–1860.
Between 1820 and 1860, one-third of U.S. immigrants were Irish (mostly Catholic) and roughly 5 million were Germans, many settling in Midwestern farms and cities like Milwaukee and Cincinnati.
Other British and Northern Europeans continued to arrive as well. These newcomers filled labor needs (building canals, farms, factories), but they also met nativist hostility.
By 1849 the anti-immigrant Know-Nothing Party had formed in protest of increasing Irish and German Catholic immigration.
Meanwhile on the West Coast, a smaller but influential group of immigrants arrived. From the California Gold Rush onward, Chinese laborers came in significant numbers. They worked gold mines, built railroads (especially the Central Pacific), and filled other manual jobs. These achievements stoked resentment and by 1882 Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first U.S. law to ban immigration from a specific ethnic group. The Act barred most Chinese from entering the country and denied them citizenship. It “virtually ended Chinese immigration for nearly a century” and signaled a period of growing restriction.
The Great Immigration (1880–1920) and Ellis Island
. The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought the largest immigration wave in American history. Between 1880 and 1920, over 20 million immigrants arrived. Unlike earlier waves, most were from Southern and Eastern Europe – Italians (about 4 million), Jews (about 2 million), Poles, Russians, Greeks, and others – drawn by America’s industrial jobs. Many settled in growing cities and worked in factories, sweatshops, and mines. By 1907, U.S. immigration peaked at about 1.3 million in a single year.
A symbol of this era was Ellis Island, opened in January 1892 as the nation’s first federal immigration station. Between 1892 and 1954 over 12 million people were processed at Ellis Island, often standing in line to have their papers inspected. Newcomers packed New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other ports. They brought new languages, religions and cultures – from pizza and klezmer music to Orthodox churches and Yiddish theaters – reshaping American society. As one historian observes, these immigrants “helped transform American society and culture,” showing that diversity can be a national strength.
Major immigration waves and groups:
Colonial era: Europeans (English, Dutch, Swedish, Spanish) and enslaved Africans.
Early 19th century: Irish and Germans from Northern Europe.
Post–1965 (modern era): Latin Americans (especially Mexico and Central America) and Asians (China, India, Philippines, etc.).
Immigration Laws and Public Sentiment
Throughout this history, U.S. immigration policy evolved under pressure from public sentiment. Key laws include:
Naturalization Act of 1790 – Limited citizenship to “free white” immigrants.
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) – First law to bar a whole ethnic group; reflected anti-Chinese sentiment on the West Coast.
Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson-Reed Act) – Established strict national-origins quotas that heavily favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe and sharply curtailed Southern/Eastern European entries.
Immigration and Nationality Act (1965) – Abolished national-origins quotas and instituted a preference system for families and skilled workers. It opened immigration from Asia and Latin America for the first time and capped Western Hemisphere migration.
Immigration Reform and Control Act (1986) – In response to growing undocumented migration, granted amnesty to many long-term unauthorized immigrants, strengthened border enforcement, and imposed employer sanctions for illegal hiring.
These policies often mirrored public attitudes. Late-19th-century nativism (backed by groups like the Immigration Restriction League) led to the 1924 quotas that slashed immigration and even authorized federal deportations of Mexicans during the Depression era. By contrast, the 1965 act reflected civil-rights era values, emphasizing family unity over ethnic origins. In 2002 and later, security concerns after 9/11 spurred stronger enforcement as the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and laws like the Secure Fence Act underscored anxieties about borders.
The Impact of Immigration on Labor and Culture
Immigrants have been central to America’s economic growth. In the 19th century, they supplied the labor that built the nation’s infrastructure. For example, Chinese and Irish workers did the toughest work on the Transcontinental Railroad (completed in 1869): at one point about 90% of the Central Pacific’s workers were Chinese. More broadly, studies show that immigrants and their children were the majority of factory workers by 1920 – over half of all manufacturing labor in that year. Without this manpower, the U.S. industrial revolution (steel mills, railroads, textiles) would have been far slower.
Newcomers to America await processing at Ellis Island, the gateway for millions of immigrants between 1892 and 1954.
Culturally, immigrants reshaped American life. They brought new foods, languages and traditions: for example, Italian-American and Irish-American heritage influenced music, cuisine and festivals across the country. Over time, many immigrant communities blended into an American “melting pot,” even as they preserved ethnic neighborhoods (Little Italy, Chinatown, etc.). The United States’ very identity – its folklore, religious diversity, and artistic expressions – has been enriched by successive waves of newcomers. As noted above, the “newcomers helped transform American society and culture”, demonstrating that diversity itself can be a source of national vitality.
Immigration also influenced politics and labor movements. Immigrant workers helped organize unions in factories and mines; immigrant voting blocs (e.g. Irish Catholics in cities, Mexicans in the Southwest) became political forces. At times, economic competition fueled backlash as labor leaders in the late 19th century argued that low-wage immigrants undercut American workers. But even so, business interests often relied on immigrant labor, making harsh restrictions politically difficult. By the mid-20th century the large untapped labor pool in the U.S. South began to fill some industrial jobs when immigration slowed.
Modern Immigration and Ongoing Debates
In recent decades, the profile of new immigrants changed again. After 1965, Latin Americans became the largest source – especially migrants from Mexico and Central America, along with a surge of Asians (from India, China, the Philippines, etc.). In 2022 foreign-born residents numbered about 46.2 million – roughly 13.9% of the U.S. population (up from 4.7% in 1970). Immigrants today include a mix of family-based migrants, skilled professionals (H‑1B visa holders in tech and medicine), and refugees from conflicts (e.g. Southeast Asians in the 1970s, Cubans in the 1980s). Meanwhile, unauthorized immigration (especially from Latin America) has been a polarizing issue, leading to occasional amnesty programs (1986) and stricter enforcement at the border.
Throughout American history, immigration has had a profound influence on national identity. The country’s culture, cuisine, languages, and labor force have all been shaped by the many peoples who arrived – willingly or forcibly – over the centuries. Each group brought its own traditions, adding to a pluralistic society. As one historian notes, despite tensions, America’s immigrants “demonstrated that diversity, as well as unity, is a source of national strength”. Immigration debates continue today, but the deep imprint of past waves is evident in every aspect of American life – from its cities to its values – reflecting a story of constant renewal and change.
As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, President Donald Trump has received outspoken support from two key figures in his administration: Vice President JD Vance and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
In a lengthy post on X, JD Vance addressed the growing public discourse around Iran’s nuclear activities, stating that Trump has been “amazingly consistent” for over a decade in opposing a nuclear Iran. Vance emphasized that the President has shown “remarkable restraint” in avoiding unnecessary military escalation while still maintaining pressure on Tehran’s uranium enrichment efforts.
Look, I’m seeing this from the inside, and am admittedly biased towards our president (and my friend), but there’s a lot of crazy stuff on social media, so I wanted to address some things directly on the Iran issue:
First, POTUS has been amazingly consistent, over 10 years, that…
He clarified distinctions between civilian nuclear energy and weapons-grade enrichment, pointing to Iran’s violation of IAEA protocols. “It’s still another thing,” he said, “to enrich uranium right up to weapons-grade while violating non-proliferation agreements.”
Some confusion–there were NO INJURIES to US Personnel at US Embassy Branch–the minor damage to property were from the shock waves (i.e. “concussions”) from the nearby blast. Not human concussions. Repeat–NO INJURIES thank God! https://t.co/ZdabOn5Yy2
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) June 16, 2025
Meanwhile, Ambassador Huckabee offered his support in deeply spiritual and emotional terms, stating that Trump was “spared in Butler, PA to be the most consequential President in a century.” Huckabee declared, “Our flag will NOT come down,” as he affirmed his commitment to remain at the US Embassy in Israel despite missile strikes in Tel Aviv.
Vice President JD Vance and Ambassador Mike Huckabee express unwavering support for President Trump’s handling of escalating Middle East tensions
The US Embassy in Tel Aviv remains closed, citing minor damage from Iranian missile concussions and ongoing shelter-in-place orders. It has also announced it cannot currently assist US citizens in evacuating due to closed airports and seaports.
President Trump, speaking from Air Force One, signaled a strong stance: “I’m not asking for a ceasefire. I’m asking for something better—a real end.” The comments underline his strategy of pressure without full-scale entanglement, echoing his 2020 playbook on global conflict.
Boris Johnson accuses Labour of betraying Brexit in fiery campaign launch
⭕ BREAKING HARD: BORIS BACKS “SOVEREIGNTY” PUSH, SLAMS LABOUR’S “BETRAYAL”
🔸 Boris Johnson JOINS new campaign accusing Labour of “systematic betrayal” of Brexit.
🔸 Claims Labour “capitulated to French on fish” and sold out Gibraltar & Chagos Islands.
🔸 “Britain is being… pic.twitter.com/QAN4Bv1xgJ
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has launched a scathing attack on the Labour government, lending his full-throated support to the Stand for Our Sovereignty campaign—a movement aimed at “defending British independence from foreign influence.”
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Johnson accused Labour of “systematic betrayal” of the 2016 Brexit vote. “The British people voted to be a sovereign nation – and yet they are being systematically betrayed,” he declared.
Johnson sharply criticized Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for ceding British powers to Brussels, accusing Labour of “capitulating to the French on fish,” and “selling out UK territories like Gibraltar and the Chagos Islands.”
In his words: “They’ve paid Mauritius £30bn to steal the Chagos Islands, and now Spanish guards demand Britons show passports to enter Gibraltar—our sovereign land.”
He added that Labour’s legal team, including Attorney General Lord Hermer, is “psychologically addicted to betraying the national interest.”
The campaign is gathering steam, with over 3,300 sign-ups in a week, backed by seven organizations and notable pro-Brexit groups such as the Campaign for an Independent Britain, UK Fisheries Campaign, and Conservative Post.
CIBUK Chairman Leigh Evans said: “Boris’s support has turbocharged this movement.” Meanwhile, Labor MP Barry Gardiner dismissed the allegations, saying sovereignty is not weakened by adhering to international law.
As the campaign prepares for a major expansion, social media videos and public engagement are being planned. The message is crystal clear:
British sovereignty is back in the headlines—and Boris is leading the charge.
⭕ BREAKING HARD: 🇮🇳 India Targets ₹3 LAKH CRORE in Defence Exports by 2029! 🚀💥
🔸 Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth announces bold goal to achieve ₹3 lakh crore in defence exports by 2029.
🔸 India now supplies arms to 92 countries, with exports reaching ₹23,500… pic.twitter.com/05QWLRgi3k
India has taken a major step towards becoming self-reliant, the Minister of State for Defence sanjay Seth has announced that India aims to reach 3 lakh crore defence exports by 2029. This goal underscores India’s transformation from a defence importer to a leading exporter on the global stage.
In the last one year, India has sold arms to 92 countries with defence sales touching 23500 crores. This marks a substantial increase from previous years, reflecting the country’s growing capabilities in indigenous defence manufacturing.
The government’s push for self-reliance in defence, under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, has led to significant advancements in domestic production. Whereas in the past India had to import several defence items such as bulletproof jackets and boots, it now produces these items in large varieties.
The defence sector’s growth is also supported by increased budget allocations, with the defence budget for 2025-26 standing at ₹2.81 lakh crore, up from ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14.
In the future, India expects to strengthen its defence exports further by giving world markets competitive prices and high technology. The government’s strategic initiatives are positioning India as a formidable player in the global defence industry.
The community in Graz is in mourning as Austria faces its worst school shooting, with 10 lives tragically lost.
⭕ BREAKING HARD: Horrific School Shooting in Graz, Austria – 10 Dead! 😢🔫
🔸 A 21-year-old gunman opens fire at a school, killing 10 people in Austria’s worst-ever school shooting.
🔸 Authorities are in shock, and the nation declares 3 days of mourning.
🔸 Gunman, a former… pic.twitter.com/Lqfu8G17AQ
A gunman entered a high school in Graz and killed 10 people in what has now become the deadliest school shooting in Austrian history; the tragedy has left the nation in shock. The assault, which happened in the morning of June 10, has shocked the local community as well as the nation, which is not used to violent crimes.
The shooter who had earlier been a student at the school shot students and staff members, and then committed suicide in a nearby bathroom. No motive has yet been confirmed by authorities but it is stated that the man might have left behind a farewell letter and bullying is claimed to have occurred before the attack. Police were quick to respond and they got at the scene soon after the shooting.
In the epilogue, Graz is mourning. Austrian government ordered three days of national mourning and political events were canceled in honor of the victims. People of Graz laid flowers and candles outside the school, and there were long queues at the blood donation centres as people united in support of the victims.
President Alexander Van der Bellen voiced the national outrage saying, “This is a horror that cannot be described as Austrians came to terms with the enormity of the bloodshed. The individual accounts of the victims of tragedy are devastating and most of them received news of loss of loved ones via emotional phone calls after the event.
The tragedy has become unforgettable in Austria as the country now grieves over the worst shooting in a school.
Rioters in Atlanta escalate anti-ICE protests, destroying police vehicles and causing widespread chaos.
⭕ BREAKING HARD: Anti-ICE Riots Escalate in Atlanta! 🔥🚓
🔸 Rioters in Atlanta are now DESTROYING POLICE CARS as tensions rise.
🔸 Authorities are swiftly moving in as the chaos intensifies—Summer of Love 2.0.
🔸 Nationwide unrest grows as cities across America brace for… pic.twitter.com/AIYk6Gf253
Atlanta Riots : The events in Atlanta have gotten out of hand because violent anti-ICE activists are going on a rampage in the city. Rioters have now resorted to Destroying police vehicles in an appalling turn of events, as police scramble to take the streets back.
The widespread chaos marks the beginning of what many are now calling “Summer of Love 2.0,” a term evoking memories of violent unrest and widespread civil disobedience. With the growing protests against ICE policies, American cities are preparing to contain such eruption of violence. Atlanta officials are rushing to allocate more resources, and although they have tried to do so, the problem has only kept growing.
The rioters’ fury is palpable, with cars burned, stores looted, and streets blocked off as the turmoil spreads like wildfire. As the police tries to suppress the violence, it is feared that this might just be the beginning of a bigger crisis in the country.
The anger is fueled by frustrations with immigration enforcement and broader systemic issues within the country’s justice system. With cities all around the country preparing to expect more unrest, communities are asking themselves whether or not this summer could become the start of a new era of civil disorder.
Safety in this environment has emerged as a burning issue among the residents and the law enforcers. With the rioting ongoing, things are certain in one way, and it is that America is experiencing an unprecedented summer of social unrest.
Trump says Musk “lost his mind,” may give away red Tesla S
⭕ BREAKING HARD: TRUMP BURNS BRIDGES WITH MUSK — “Won’t Take His Call,” Might Ditch Tesla!
🔸 Trump calls Elon Musk “the man who has LOST HIS MIND” — rejects Musk’s request for a call.
🔸 Fallout from spending bill row: $100 BILLION wiped off Tesla stock, SpaceX contracts at… pic.twitter.com/JTYPQNg4mR
According to the latest reports, President Trump has decided not to speak with Elon Musk because he thinks Elon is “the man who has lost his mind.” Elon Musk was angered by Trump’s suggested plan for a large spending bill and the fallout was the removal of Musk from the American advisory panel.
Those who are close to the White House say that Musk reached out to Trump in an effort to fix the situation, yet the former president is not cooperative. Instead, the President concentrated on getting approval for his bill in Congress and called different TV channels repeatedly to stress his position.
Stocks for Tesla plummeted more than 14% on Thursday, dropping their value by close to $100 billion before they bounced back. It is being reported that Trump may either sell or give away his cherished cherry red Tesla S, a gift he got during the couple’s better days. The car is still situated in the White House.
Musk once stood with Trump inside a Tesla at a bizarre event in the White House and then temporarily threatened to suspend the Dragon spacecraft project vital for NASA. Though Trump retraced that promise on Friday, worries are still high.
Peter Navarro, Trump’s trade advisor, called Musk a short-lived phenomenon, but JD Vance, the VP, did not openly criticize the entrepreneur but remained faithful to Trump. The bond between the world’s most powerful man and the world’s richest man which was once strong, has crumbled.
The partnership that used to capture headlines has become a political mess.
