Category: The Hill
‘Don’t know’ tops responses from Harris voters polled on Democratic Party leadership
Voters who preferred former Vice President Harris to be president could not necessarily name the current leader of the Democratic Party, as a new survey suggests. Politico’s latest poll, conducted by the London-based consultancy organization Public First, found that Harris voters, in the days leading up to the 2025 elections, could not find consensus around…
Hegseth promises faster weapons buying with sweeping reforms
Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story Hegseth promises faster weapons buying with sweeping reforms Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday unveiled a sweeping overhaul to how the Pentagon buys weapons, a restructuring aimed at having the U.S. military more quickly acquire new…
Marked for death: Government slaughter of hundreds of ostriches to proceed
Lethal injection to the skull.
That’s the likely method of execution awaiting hundreds of seemingly healthy ostriches in Canada. Although shooting, neck-breaking, and gassing are also on the table.
‘Pray for the CFIA agents who were not willing to listen to a case that could have helped so many.’
The Supreme Court of Canada on Thursday dismissed an appeal from Universal Ostrich Farms, clearing the way for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to proceed with the slaughter of hundreds of ostriches following an alleged outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza detected in December 2024.
‘Sad day’
The CFIA plans to cull the flock despite reports that the birds have remained healthy for roughly 300 consecutive days. The exact number of ostriches slated for slaughter remains uncertain; the agency has said it is still working to establish a precise count, while the farm’s owners — Karen Espersen, Dave Bilinski, and Katie Pasitney — say they have been prevented from conducting their own tally since federal authorities assumed control of the property.
Under a Supreme Court order granting the CFIA “custody” of the animals, the farmers were also prohibited from feeding or caring for them. The agency was instead tasked with providing food, water, and bedding.
“This is a sad day for Canada,” Pasitney, who has served as the farm’s spokeswoman throughout the case, told Align.
RELATED: Dead bird walking: RFK Jr. is the only hope for 399 healthy ostriches on Canada’s chopping block
David Krayden/Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images
Guilty of ‘innovation’?
“Our leaders have let us down yet again. We will make it our life’s mission to ensure that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is held accountable for the damage they’ve done — not just to our family, but to all the families out there.”
She added that the farm’s owners “pray for the CFIA agents who were not willing to listen to a case that could have helped so many — not just Canadians, but the world — with innovation and science to mitigate viral risk.”
Accusations of mistreatment
Federal authorities first seized control of Universal Ostrich Farms on Sept. 22, with CFIA and RCMP officers occupying the 58-acre property in Edgewood, British Columbia, about two hours east of Kelowna. Two days later, the Supreme Court issued a temporary stay on the planned cull, agreeing to review the farm’s appeal of the CFIA order.
In the weeks since, the farm has released videos purporting to show CFIA inspectors neglecting or mistreating the ostriches in violation of that court stay — evidence the owners said they hoped would justify removing the agency from the property.
In a statement Thursday, the CFIA reiterated that the ostriches posed “a risk to animal and human health” and confirmed it would “move forward to complete depopulation and disposal measures as authorized by the Health of Animals Act.”
“The Federal Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal both determined that the CFIA acted reasonably and in a procedurally fair manner,” the statement said. The agency also warned supporters gathered at the farm not to obstruct inspectors, citing potential prosecution under Sections 35 and 65 of the Health of Animals Act.
Roy Cooper Enraged Victims’ Families When He Took 15 Convicted Killers Off Death Row on His Final Day as Governor. Now He’s Pitching Himself as a Tough-on-Crime Senate Candidate.
On his final day as North Carolina governor, Senate hopeful Roy Cooper (D.) commuted the sentences of 15 convicted killers on death row, a move that blindsided and enraged the families of their victims. It’s another piece of his record on crime that Cooper will have to contend with as he attempts to sell himself as a tough-on-crime candidate.
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Mamdani, Self-Styled Patron of the Working Class, Gets Advice From Celebrity Stylist
New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D.) has presented himself as a voice for the working class, but a new report states that he has worked with an A-list stylist who has managed the images of Democratic elites and celebrities.
The post Mamdani, Self-Styled Patron of the Working Class, Gets Advice From Celebrity Stylist appeared first on .
The Spectacle Ep. 295: Will Terminating the Filibuster End the Government Shutdown?
As the Democrats continue to drag Americans into the fifth week of a government shutdown, President Trump wants to end…
John Kennedy Predicts How Many More Days Shutdown Will Drag On
‘all they ever do is talk and stamp their little feet’
Vance calls court order to fully fund SNAP ‘absurd ruling’
Vice President Vance on Thursday pushed back on a federal court ruling that directed the Trump administration to make full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments for November, arguing the court should not be telling the president how to spend money during a government shutdown. “It’s an absurd ruling because you have a federal judge…
Trump admin brings international drug pricing to Medicaid
Presented by the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare — State Medicaid programs that choose to participate in the model will be able to purchase drugs included in the pilot at prices aligned with those paid in select other countries. {beacon} Health Care The Big Story Trump admin brings international drug pricing to Medicaid A new payment model from the Centers for…
