An 18-year-old California man, Alan Filion, pleaded guilty to making over 375 hoax threats across the country, including bomb threats and mass shooting threats, targeting schools, government officials, and religious institutions. Filion, who began his “swatting” activities at age 16, turned the practice into a business, advertising his services on social media for a fee. His actions, which caused widespread fear and chaos, included a threat to carry out a mass shooting at a mosque in Florida, leading to his arrest and extradition. Filion faces a maximum of five years in prison for each of the four charges against him.
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Following the 47th Mechanized Brigade’s initial forays into western Russia, a fierce Russian counteroffensive has begun in Kursk Oblast, aiming to reclaim the 250-square-mile salient seized by Ukrainian forces in August. The 47th Brigade, equipped with American M-2 Bradley vehicles and M-1 Abrams tanks, is now fighting a desperate battle to defend the left flank of the salient against a relentless Russian assault. The Russians, emboldened by the change in U.S. administration and the potential for a negotiated armistice, are determined to retake Kursk before President-elect Trump takes office in January. Despite significant casualties, they show no signs of relenting, forcing the 47th Brigade and its allies to fight tooth and nail to maintain control of their hard-won gains.
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The potential collapse of Ukraine would be a far greater humiliation for the United States than its withdrawal from Afghanistan, argues former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague. He cautions that President-elect Trump’s perceived desire for a quick, Russia-favoring resolution to the conflict could embolden Russia and lead to further aggression in the future. Hague emphasizes the importance of maintaining Western strength and resolve against Russia, drawing parallels to the West’s failure to adequately punish Russia after its annexation of Crimea in 2014. He urges a continuation of firm support for Ukraine to prevent a disastrous outcome.
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Despite facing an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, Representative Matt Gaetz has emerged as a strong candidate for the position of Attorney General. While his fervent support of Donald Trump and his legal background make him a potential contender, his lack of prosecutorial experience and the unresolved ethics probe could pose significant challenges to his confirmation. Notably, Gaetz actively sought to block the ethics investigation, raising concerns about his motives and suitability for such a critical role.
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A Paris prosecutor has requested a five-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office for far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who is on trial for embezzling EU funds. This request comes after a decade-long investigation and could severely damage Le Pen’s chances of winning the 2027 presidential election. The prosecutor’s request, if successful, would immediately prevent Le Pen from running for office, even if she appeals the verdict. The trial continues until November 27th, with a verdict expected in early 2025. Le Pen and 24 others are accused of using European Parliament funds to pay staff who worked exclusively for her party, the National Rally, in France.
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John Bolton, a former national security advisor to President Trump, has called for FBI investigations into the backgrounds of both Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard before they are confirmed for their respective positions in the new administration.
Bolton’s call for investigations into the two individuals, who are both facing serious allegations, has ignited a firestorm of debate and speculation online. Some believe that Bolton’s call is a sign that the new administration is already plagued by corruption, while others see it as a necessary step to ensure that the country is not being undermined by individuals with questionable motives.
Bolton’s concerns about Gaetz stem from the congressman’s ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee into allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of office.… Continue reading
A U.S. Virginia-class submarine, the USS Virginia, accidentally became entangled in a fishing net off the coast of Norway near Tromsø. The submarine was likely at the surface when it encountered the net and dragged it two nautical miles before severing it. The incident occurred in a region known for increased submarine activity due to heightened tensions with Russia. The submarine’s surfacing near Tromsø highlights the growing need for resupply and crew rotations in the area, a tactic employed to avoid lengthy journeys to more distant naval bases and maintain a close watch on Russian submarine activity.
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A senior Russian naval officer, Valery Trankovsky, was killed in a car bombing in Sevastopol, Crimea. Ukrainian security services claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that Trankovsky was a war criminal responsible for missile strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine. This incident is the latest in a series of targeted attacks on Russian military personnel and pro-Kremlin figures in occupied Ukrainian territories and Russia. Ukraine has been targeting individuals accused of war crimes, and while the methods and identities of the clandestine resistance groups remain largely unknown, the attacks highlight the ongoing struggle and resistance against Russian occupation.
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Former Australian Federal Police officer William Noel Wheatley, 46, has avoided prison despite being found with a significant amount of methamphetamine, exceeding the trafficking threshold by 50 times. While the circumstances surrounding the possession of the drugs remain unclear, Wheatley ultimately pleaded guilty to lesser charges in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. The magistrate noted the mystery surrounding the case, acknowledging the lack of information on how the methamphetamine ended up in Wheatley’s possession.
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The 2024 election saw President-elect Donald Trump labeled as a fascist by his opponents, but this characterization did little to deter his supporters. Despite accusations of authoritarianism and comparisons to Hitler, voters who favored Trump found his strongman image and promise to fight the establishment appealing. His disregard for rules and willingness to challenge orthodoxy resonated with those who felt neglected by the system. Trump’s campaign tapped into a narrative of America as a victim of injustice, promising retribution against perceived enemies, fostering a sense of righteous anger and intolerance among his followers. Ultimately, Trump’s victory indicates a growing acceptance of his style of leadership, raising concerns about the future direction of the United States.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood