Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, and BBC Russia have identified the names of 77,143 Russian soldiers killed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, based on publicly available information. This figure is likely a significant undercount, as it only reflects verified data from sources such as obituaries and official reports. The casualties have increased substantially in recent months, with October marking the deadliest month for Russian forces. The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia may be linked to these losses, with President Zelensky confirming their presence and casualties in Kursk Oblast. The average age of volunteer recruits killed in action is increasing, with a plurality falling between 48 and 50 years old. The bloodiest day for Russian forces was May 13th, with an estimated 1,740 casualties.
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Social media was rife with baseless claims of voter fraud in the lead-up to the election, with posts highlighting minor technical issues and spreading conspiracy theories. However, as Trump’s victory became apparent, the volume of these posts drastically diminished, suggesting that the claims were primarily intended to sow doubt in the event of an unfavorable result. While some false claims continue to circulate about uncalled races, the overall volume of election-related misinformation has significantly decreased, indicating a shift from widespread questioning of the electoral process to a more measured acceptance of the results.
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On November 10th, Russia reported that its air defenses successfully shot down 70 Ukrainian drones, including 34 in Moscow Oblast, during the largest drone attack on the Russian capital to date. The attack, which began around 7:00 a.m. Moscow time, involved drones entering Russian airspace from multiple locations, including Bryansk, Oryol, Kaluga, Kursk, and Tula oblasts. While unverified footage of drones and resulting damage surfaced on social media, Russia reported at least one person injured in Moscow Oblast, with airport operations temporarily halted due to the threat. Notably, this attack coincided with Russia’s largest drone attack on Ukraine overnight, involving 145 drones, highlighting the escalating use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the ongoing conflict.
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Claims that millions of votes were “missing” after the 2024 U.S. presidential election are false. These votes were not missing but simply hadn’t been counted yet. Due to the decentralized nature of U.S. elections, with thousands of local elections run simultaneously, reporting results can take time. The Associated Press, which calls elections in the U.S., relies on data from county election offices and state websites, and makes projections based on vote trends and the number of uncounted ballots. While the AP called the election for Trump, millions of ballots were still being counted, primarily due to high rates of mail-in voting in certain states. It’s important to wait for all votes to be tallied and official totals released before drawing conclusions about voter turnout between elections.
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Donald Trump’s two federal criminal cases, stemming from his attempt to overturn the 2020 election and his possession of classified documents, are set to be dropped due to the long-standing precedent that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted for federal crimes. While this decision may protect the Department of Justice as an institution, it will likely be used by Trump to claim that the charges against him were politically motivated, further weaponizing the justice system against it. To counter this, Special Counsel Jack Smith should memorialize the cases in writing, including all evidence and testimony, forcing Trump’s team to publicly end them and exposing their actions. This will allow the public to see the full extent of Trump’s alleged criminal behavior and hold him accountable for his actions.
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NATO’s top military official, Admiral Rob Bauer, has stated that the alliance would have intervened directly in Ukraine to expel Russian forces if Moscow did not possess nuclear weapons. The threat of nuclear escalation, however, has prevented NATO from deploying troops on Ukrainian soil, despite the alliance’s support for Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion. This stark difference in NATO’s response to the conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine highlights the significant role nuclear weapons play in international security and the profound impact they have on the calculus of military intervention. The presence of Russia’s vast nuclear arsenal, coupled with increasingly aggressive rhetoric from Russian officials, has effectively limited the scope of Western military action in Ukraine.
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California’s pistachio industry is booming, driven by rising global demand and the crop’s drought-tolerance. This has led to a surge in acreage and production, making pistachios California’s sixth-largest agricultural commodity by value. The industry is learning from the struggles of almond farming and is focusing on sustainable practices, including water conservation. Despite challenges like groundwater regulations, pistachio acreage is expected to continue growing as recently planted trees reach maturity, solidifying its position as a key player in California agriculture.
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The news of Qatar stepping back from its mediation role in the Gaza conflict and its decision to remove Hamas from the country has sparked a wave of speculation and commentary. The move comes amidst a shift in US foreign policy under the current administration, which has taken a decidedly different stance towards the region than its predecessor.
While it’s been reported that Qatar denies these claims, the potential implications are far-reaching. For years, Qatar has been a key player in mediating between Israel and Hamas, and has been a major source of funding for the Palestinian group. The decision to pull back from this role and expel Hamas from the country could significantly alter the dynamics of the conflict.… Continue reading
Mike Davis, a potential candidate for Attorney General under President-elect Donald Trump, has outlined his plans for a Trump administration, including firing government employees, indicting members of the Biden family, deporting millions of immigrants, and pardoning January 6th defendants. Davis, in an interview with Benny Johnson, expressed his desire to “rain hell on Washington D.C.” with these drastic measures, raising concerns among the hosts of The New Abnormal podcast who fear the potential impact of such actions. Davis’s comments highlight the contentious atmosphere surrounding the incoming administration and the anxieties many feel about the direction of the country.
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A shooting at Tuskegee University in Alabama has left one person dead and several injured, according to officials. The incident has sparked a range of reactions, with some expressing outrage and others questioning the news coverage.
The tragedy occurred on the campus of a historically Black university, a place known for its rich history and contributions to the nation. The shooting is a stark reminder of the ongoing gun violence that plagues the United States, particularly in communities of color. It’s a problem that has been a source of frustration and anger for many Americans, and this incident has only intensified those feelings.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood