The personnel choices made by former President Donald Trump suggest a looming wave of mass deportations, a policy that will have significant economic consequences. This move, according to New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, will likely lead to a surge in inflation. The ramifications of this policy will be felt most acutely by Trump voters, who will soon discover that they were misled by his promises of economic prosperity. The impact of mass deportations on the labor market will disrupt supply chains and drive up prices, ultimately hurting the very people Trump claimed to be fighting for.
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Donald Trump got away with everything. It’s a statement that echoes in the minds of many, a sentiment of disbelief and frustration. The attack on the US Capitol on January 6th, 2021, an unprecedented assault on American democracy instigated by the sitting president, seems to have been met with an almost laughable lack of consequences. Trump, far from facing the full weight of the law for his actions, was not only acquitted by the Senate, but was even rewarded with a second run for the presidency, a clear sign that the system is failing to hold those in power accountable.
The sheer audacity of it all is mind-boggling.… Continue reading
Despite the clear language of the Twenty-Second Amendment, which prohibits a president from serving more than two terms, President Trump has expressed interest in running for a third term, suggesting he might only do so if his potential opponent is deemed exceptionally strong. This statement disregards the longstanding constitutional restriction established in 1951, following President Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms, and the unofficial precedent set by George Washington. The amendment unequivocally states that no person can be elected to the presidency more than twice, effectively barring Trump from seeking another term after his current one concludes.
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Just Eat Takeaway, the European meal delivery giant, is selling its US subsidiary Grubhub to Wonder, a restaurant chain led by former Walmart executive Marc Lore, for $650 million. This divestiture comes four years after Just Eat acquired Grubhub for $7.3 billion, seeking to expand its reach into the lucrative US market. The sale marks a retreat for Just Eat, which faced pressure from investors following the decline in pandemic-fueled food delivery demand. Just Eat believes the deal will accelerate its growth and provide Grubhub with a suitable future under Wonder’s leadership. The transaction is expected to close in early 2025, subject to regulatory approval.
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Mike Huckabee, President-elect Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to Israel, has previously stated that there is “no such thing as a Palestinian,” calling it a “political tool” to claim land from Israel. He further argued that a Palestinian state, if it were to exist, should be located in neighboring countries like Egypt, Syria, or Jordan, rather than within Israel’s borders. These remarks, made during his 2008 presidential campaign and reiterated in 2015, suggest a strong bias against Palestinian statehood and raise concerns about his ability to represent US interests in the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Asif William Rahman, a former U.S. government employee with top-secret clearance, has been charged with leaking classified information concerning Israel’s plans to attack Iran. The leaked documents, attributed to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, appeared on a Telegram channel and revealed Israel’s military preparations in response to Iran’s missile attack on October 1st. These documents were part of the “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing network and their unauthorized disclosure carries significant national security implications. Rahman was arrested in Cambodia and faces felony charges in Virginia, potentially resulting in lengthy prison sentences.
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Despite short-term political fluctuations, the urgency of addressing global emissions remains, and any delay only exacerbates the challenge. I strongly advise against implementing carbon border tariffs, as they introduce unnecessary complexity and bureaucracy without guaranteeing effectiveness. A more efficient approach lies in a regulatory framework based on carbon intensity, allowing for a clearer and more manageable path towards emissions reduction.
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A briefing paper prepared for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence argues that Ukraine could build a rudimentary nuclear bomb within months if the US withdraws military support. The report claims Ukraine could utilize plutonium from spent fuel rods to create a weapon similar to the “Fat Man” bomb, albeit with a significantly lower yield. This move would be predicated on Ukraine withdrawing from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, as the US’s withdrawal of support would violate the Budapest Memorandum. While western experts estimate a longer development timeline, Ukrainian officials believe a ballistic missile capable of delivering such a weapon could be operational within six months, highlighting the dire situation they face and the possibility of a nuclear deterrent becoming a necessity.
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Donald Trump has appointed Fox News commentator and former National Guard officer Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense, a decision met with widespread criticism from military veterans and experts. Many argue that Hegseth, despite his combat experience, lacks the necessary high-level experience and qualifications to manage the Department of Defense. Hegseth’s appointment has been described as “the least qualified nominee for SecDef in American history” and a “hilariously predictably stupid thing” by critics, while some have expressed concern about his political affiliations and lack of experience in managing a large organization.
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Body camera footage from a recent traffic stop in Oklahoma City shows an officer taking a 71-year-old driver, Lich Vu, to the ground and handcuffing him after an argument over a citation. The incident resulted in Mr. Vu sustaining serious injuries, including a skull fracture, leading to his hospitalization. The officer, who remains unidentified, has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, and the incident will be presented to the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office for review. Thuan Nguyen, president of the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma, has expressed concern about the officer’s use of force, calling it excessive and demanding accountability.
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