Ukrainian forces struck a Russian 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade command post in Lgov, Kursk Oblast, on December 25th, targeting it within an abandoned civilian building. This attack, part of a broader campaign to disrupt Russian military operations, resulted in reported civilian casualties according to Russian sources, though these claims remain unverified. While Kursk Oblast has seen previous intense fighting, recent Ukrainian territorial gains there have reportedly been significantly reduced. Furthermore, Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops has allegedly resulted in substantial casualties.
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China has greenlit construction of a massive hydropower project on Tibet’s Yarlung Tsangpo River, potentially tripling the Three Gorges Dam’s energy output. This undertaking, with a projected cost exceeding US$137 billion, presents significant engineering hurdles due to the river’s immense scale and location in a high-rainfall area. The dam will be situated within the world’s deepest canyon, harnessing the river’s substantial vertical drop. This project represents the largest single infrastructure investment globally.
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Democratic strategist Lindy Li attributes President Biden’s recent support for a congressional stock trading ban to lingering resentment towards former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Li claims Biden is angered by Pelosi’s alleged role in encouraging his 2024 presidential withdrawal. This new stance, a significant shift from Biden’s prior position, follows reports of behind-the-scenes pressure on the president. Pelosi’s spokesperson offered a dismissive response to Li’s claims.
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The situation is truly disheartening: a medical student, facing a potentially life-threatening condition, is having her crucial medication denied by her insurance company. She reports that despite numerous attempts to get authorization, including submitting extensive documentation and appeals, the insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, remains steadfast in its refusal to cover the medication, Promacta (Eltrombopag), for her immune thrombocytopenia.
This isn’t an isolated incident; many people share similar experiences with insurance companies putting profits over patients’ well-being. Stories abound of individuals forced into repeated emergency room visits for necessary treatments simply because their insurance company won’t cover the medication from an out-of-state pharmacy or insists on generic alternatives despite documented ineffectiveness or harmful side effects.… Continue reading
Suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol ignored a second summons from anti-corruption investigators probing his controversial martial law decree, defying a previous summons as well. The investigation agency plans to review the case and may seek an arrest warrant. This inaction follows his impeachment by parliament and ongoing investigations into potential charges including insurrection and abuse of power. While Yoon’s lawyer indicates willingness to cooperate in legal proceedings, opposition groups are demanding his arrest. The Constitutional Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the impeachment.
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Following Russia’s Christmas Day missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, President Biden directed the Department of Defense to continue its increased weapons supply to Ukraine. The attacks, which killed at least one energy worker and damaged power plants, aimed to disrupt heat and electricity access for Ukrainian citizens during winter. This was the thirteenth large-scale strike on Ukraine’s energy grid this year, prompting international condemnation, including from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Despite significant Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepting many missiles, the attacks resulted in widespread power outages. Ukraine continues to urge allies for increased military and humanitarian aid.
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Asma Assad, diagnosed with a recurrence of leukemia, is currently isolated in Moscow with her father following the Assad family’s flight from Damascus. Reports suggest she is tired of restrictions in Russia and desires a divorce from her husband and treatment in London, a request vehemently rejected by the UK government. While her citizenship status remains under review, the UK Foreign Secretary has explicitly stated she is unwelcome in the country. The Kremlin denies previous reports of her divorce plans.
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A patrol near the Canadian border in Lynden, Washington yielded a significant drug bust last Thursday. Two backpacks containing approximately $1.1 million worth of cocaine were discovered and subsequently seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. The cocaine, totaling 30 brick-like packages, was transferred to the DEA. While no arrests have been publicly reported, the agency lauded the agents’ vigilance in preventing the narcotics from reaching communities.
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On Christmas Day, Donald Trump used Truth Social to post 34 messages within an hour, including a meme mocking Barack Obama. The posts also featured self-congratulatory headlines, endorsements of his cabinet picks (particularly Pete Hegseth), and a holiday photo with Melania Trump. This activity followed a less overtly combative initial Christmas greeting and contrasted with previous years’ more explicitly hostile Christmas messages. Other Trump family members and MAGA allies also leveraged the holiday for political messaging.
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Hakeem Jeffries’ recent actions, particularly his maneuvering around a certain piece of legislation, represent a calculated shift in Democratic strategy. It suggests a willingness to engage in the kind of hardball politics previously associated almost exclusively with Republicans. This represents a significant departure from the more conciliatory approach sometimes favored by Democrats in the past, marking what some might consider a preemptive power play.
This strategic shift feels like a direct response to years of Republican obstructionism. It suggests a recognition that playing by the traditional rules of engagement hasn’t yielded the desired results. The Democrats appear to be adopting a new playbook, one that mirrors the Republicans’ own aggressive tactics.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood