Author: Karen Givens

A concise look at the life, controversies and public aftermath surrounding Mark Fuhrman following his death, focusing on his role in a high-profile murder trial and the long shadow it cast over his career. Former Los Angeles police detective Mark Fuhrman, who was convicted of lying during testimony at the OJ Simpson murder trial, has died. He was a recognizable figure in American criminal justice debates for decades after that trial, and his passing has reopened discussions about evidence, policing and public trust. The courtroom moments that defined him are still discussed in legal circles and popular culture alike. Fuhrman…

Attendance at regular worship services remains overwhelmingly safe worldwide, with billions of visits each year and very few instances of deadly attacks on individual houses of worship. Statistically, going to a weekly worship service is a remarkably safe thing to do. Global annual attendance totals many billions, and occasions of mass violence at places of worship are rare compared with the overall volume of visits. That context matters when communities think about risk and how to protect gatherings without changing what makes them meaningful. Places of worship are centers of routine life: prayers, sermons, rites, and shared celebrations that repeat…

China’s primary demand in the recent talks with the United States was straightforward: crude oil, and that narrow focus shaped how Beijing weighed its role in the Iran crisis while leaving Washington to decide how to leverage energy sales and sanctions for influence. Talks between President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping made one thing clear: China values Iranian oil and wants steady supplies. The U.S. pushed Beijing to help defuse a 12-week conflict, but China’s response was guided by energy interests rather than regional stability. Still, officials left the summit with some pragmatic steps and the outlines of possible leverage.…

Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to oppose his party’s bid to limit President Trump’s war authority over the Iran conflict, and his vote helped doom the measure in a narrow 49-50 Senate outcome that stopped the effort from reaching the 51 votes needed to proceed. The Senate vote this week was the tightest test so far of the Democratic push to assert Congress’s war powers, and one senator’s break from his conference decided it. Democrats, joined by three Republicans, lacked the single extra vote they needed after Fetterman crossed the aisle with the White House. That split exposed…

Senator Bill Cassidy’s primary loss in Louisiana shows how crossing President Trump remains politically dangerous, with the May 18, 2026 result underlining the party’s current realities and the costs of being out of step with the GOP base. “It’s still the president’s party, and some people just have to learn that the hard way.” That line captures the mood after the primary outcome, where Cassidy’s disagreements with Trump and perceived distance from the grassroots played a central role. Voters favored a challenger who aligned with the former president’s priorities, and the margin reflected more than a personality clash. The result…

A recent government admission has altered the landscape of an ongoing legal dispute, prompting a pointed response from the plaintiff’s camp and raising questions about accountability and oversight. The development landed like a pivot point: it gave the plaintiff new footing and made critics more confident their calls for clarity are justified. From a Republican perspective, such admissions should produce swift actions to restore public trust, not slow-walked explanations. People want to see consequences when the state concedes an error or a misstep. The admission itself matters because it changes the legal dynamics and public narrative at once. When officials…

A brisk recap of a high-energy ACM Awards night, led by Lainey Wilson’s headline moment, a string of star performances, memorable collaborations, and moments that kept the room buzzing. Call it the ideal introduction to a night that promised performances from the greatest names in contemporary country music. The evening opened with momentum and a full house ready for big moments, and the stage delivered immediately with scope and swagger. From lighting to band dynamics, the producers set a fast pace that kept viewers leaning in. Lainey Wilson took home the top prize of entertainer of the year, and her…

United Kingdom’s King Charles III visits the nation’s Capitol ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, the monarch gets a standing ovation from the NO KINGS party, and President Trump responds to stalled negotiations with bold moves on trade, troops, and targeted foreign regimes. The visit by the United Kingdom’s King Charles III to Washington grabbed attention for its timing and optics as much as for the message, arriving ahead of America’s 250th anniversary when symbolism matters most, and the crowd reaction—most notably a standing ovation from the NO KINGS party—made clear that pageantry and politics still mix in strange ways. Observers…

No matter the label, the ascendant philosophy on the far left is collectivism. Across statehouses from Maine to Michigan, a familiar pattern has reappeared: Democratic politicians and activists are embracing policies that concentrate power in government hands while promising broad redistribution. Voters see talk of big programs, expanded entitlements, and more centralized control dressed up as compassion. The consequences for local economies and individual freedom are increasingly visible. In town halls and legislative chambers, what once sounded like piecemeal reforms now reads as coherent ideology. Proposals that push for state-run services, aggressive regulation, and higher taxes are justified as fixes…

Many Chinese students study in the United States, benefit from our colleges and labs, and then return home with skills that strengthen China’s science, industry, and global position. This piece looks at the straightforward dynamic where foreign students use American education to advance outside actors. It notes how skills, networks, and research can cross borders quickly once students leave. The tone is skeptical about whether current rules protect U.S. interests. For decades top U.S. universities have welcomed talented students from around the world, including large numbers from China. That inflow has helped American campuses stay competitive and has generated tuition…