A U.N. report details over 12,340 civilian deaths and more than 27,836 injuries in Ukraine from February 2022 to November 2024, with a significant increase in casualties caused by aerial bombs and long-range weapons in 2024. This surge, particularly notable in October and November, resulted from intensified Russian attacks on densely populated areas. The report highlights a threefold increase in civilian deaths from aerial bombs compared to 2023, and Russia’s use of long-range weapons, such as the Oreshnik missile, has raised serious concerns within the U.N. These escalating attacks are viewed as a deliberate tactic to intimidate Ukraine and deter Western support.
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US stocks experienced a significant drop on Friday, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all declining substantially, driven by a selloff in Big Tech stocks, particularly the “Magnificent Seven.” This downturn, occurring during a week of low trading volume, amplified the market’s reaction and followed a year of record highs fueled by AI investment. Analysts attributed the volatility to profit-taking and the market’s overreliance on a few key tech companies, a trend mirroring similar end-of-year market fluctuations in previous years. Despite the decline, some experts advise maintaining equity exposure for inflation protection.
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Rep. Kay Granger, the first Republican woman to lead the House Appropriations Committee, announced her retirement in March but continued serving until ceasing to vote in July. Subsequently, it was revealed she had moved to a memory care facility due to dementia, a fact her office initially did not disclose. This lack of transparency, coupled with the possibility of House leadership concealing her situation to maintain their slim majority, has sparked bipartisan concern. The situation has ignited a broader debate about the health and transparency of elderly members of Congress.
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Sebastian Zapeta has been indicted on murder and arson charges for allegedly setting a sleeping woman on fire on a New York City subway train. The victim remains unidentified, with authorities utilizing fingerprints and DNA to establish her identity. Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen who re-entered the U.S. illegally after deportation, faces a possible life sentence without parole. The incident has reignited concerns about subway safety, despite overall crime statistics showing a decrease in major crimes this year.
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Elon Musk’s advocacy for increased H-1B visas to address a perceived shortage of skilled engineers ignited a fierce backlash from President-elect Trump’s supporters. Prominent figures like Matt Gaetz and Nikki Haley criticized Musk’s proposal, arguing for prioritizing American workers. This sparked further controversy, with far-right figures like Laura Loomer accusing Musk of being a disruptive influence within the Trump administration and predicting a rift between the two. The conflict highlights the growing tension between the tech industry and the far-right wing of the Republican party, with some anticipating future clashes.
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Following Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory, legal scholars Evan Davis and David Schulte argued that Democrats could constitutionally block his certification based on his alleged involvement in the January 6th insurrection, citing the 14th Amendment. Their argument centers on the amendment’s disqualification clause for those who have engaged in insurrection against the United States. While the Supreme Court rejected a state’s attempt to bar Trump from the ballot, Davis and Schulte contend that Congress retains the power to act on this constitutional ground during certification. Despite this proposal, leading Democrats have thus far rejected any efforts to block Trump’s inauguration.
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The Russian-linked tanker *Eagle S*, seized by Finnish authorities for damaging an undersea cable, was equipped with sophisticated surveillance technology, transforming it into a de facto spy ship. This equipment, also found on a sister vessel, *Swiftsea Rider*, was unusual for a merchant ship and suggests deliberate monitoring of NATO naval activity. The *Eagle S*’s crew, likely aware of the spying, were allegedly threatened into silence. The tankers’ ownership is obscured through complex corporate structures, characteristic of the “dark fleet” known for circumventing sanctions.
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Following a dispute over H-1B visas, Elon Musk is accused of retaliating against far-right critics. Laura Loomer and other pro-Trump activists allege that Musk removed their X verification and monetization privileges for questioning his support of the visa program and criticizing his relationship with China. Dozens of accounts, including prominent figures in the MAGA movement, reported similar actions. This incident highlights growing tensions between the Trump base and Silicon Valley figures over immigration policy, further fracturing the previously tenuous alliance. Musk, while not directly addressing the accusations, implied that coordinated attacks would result in similar consequences.
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A dramatic 18.1% surge in U.S. homelessness in 2024, totaling over 770,000 individuals, is primarily attributed to escalating housing costs, natural disasters, and increased migrant populations. This follows a 12% increase in 2023, and disproportionately affects Black individuals and families, with family homelessness rising nearly 40% nationwide. While veteran homelessness decreased, the overall increase highlights the urgent need for increased investment in affordable housing and evidence-based solutions to prevent and end homelessness.
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Following damage to the Estlink-2 power cable connecting Finland and Estonia, the EU is preparing sanctions against Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a group of aging vessels suspected of involvement. A Russian-linked ship, the Eagle S, was detained by Finnish authorities, with its anchor suspected of causing the damage. This incident, along with previous attacks on undersea cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea since 2022, highlights a systemic threat to regional infrastructure, prompting increased security measures and investigations. Repairs to the damaged cable are estimated to take up to seven months.
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John Q. Hosedrinker