Six-year-old Mia Monreal suffered severe brain injuries in a car crash caused by Ryan Routh, the man charged with attempting to assassinate President-elect Trump. The crash, which occurred during a police chase on I-95, left Mia in a coma for a month and currently hospitalized in Jacksonville for therapy. Her mother, Norka Pardo, has taken leave from work to care for her daughter, who faces an uncertain future. Additional charges, including attempted felony murder, have been filed against Routh in Martin County.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’s blunt rejection of a debt ceiling demand from Donald Trump – a simple “hard pass” – encapsulates the deep political chasm currently dividing Washington. The statement underscores a stark refusal by Democrats to be complicit in what they perceive as a Republican power grab.
This forceful dismissal highlights a fundamental disagreement over fiscal responsibility and governance. The underlying issue revolves around whether Republicans, now poised to control Congress and potentially the presidency, should be allowed to unilaterally dictate fiscal policy without Democratic input, particularly regarding such a critical issue as the debt ceiling.
Jeffries’s “hard pass” suggests a belief that Republicans should be held accountable for their actions.… Continue reading
Failure to reach a government funding agreement by Friday will leave approximately 2.1 million U.S. troops unpaid, despite their mandatory duty requirement. This also impacts 365,000 essential Defense Department civilians who will work without pay, while another 435,500 will be furloughed. President-elect Trump presented a new funding plan, but its passage remains uncertain due to Democratic opposition and Republican infighting, jeopardizing military pay and creating widespread departmental disruptions. The situation highlights the potential for a repeat of past government shutdowns where military personnel went unpaid.
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The looming government shutdown stems from Republican infighting, not Democratic obstruction. A bipartisan spending bill, initially supported by Speaker Mike Johnson, was derailed by Elon Musk’s social media campaign and subsequent rejection by President-elect Trump and his allies. This led to a Republican-driven crisis, highlighted by internal party divisions, with figures like Congressman Chip Roy defying Trump’s pressure. The situation foreshadows the turbulent Trump presidency, with ongoing uncertainty surrounding Johnson’s speakership and a potential power shift towards Musk.
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Ukraine has begun receiving its share of a G7-backed $50 billion loan, with initial disbursements totaling $2.05 billion in World Bank grants. This funding, part of a larger $20 billion U.S. contribution, is co-financed by the F.O.R.T.I.S. Ukraine FIF and the ADVANCE Ukraine Trust Fund, and will bolster Ukraine’s railway, banking, and renewable energy sectors. The EU’s €18.1 billion contribution is slated to begin disbursement in January. These funds are intended to support Ukraine’s economic growth and reconstruction efforts.
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At least two people, including a child, died and over 50 were injured when a car plowed into a Christmas market crowd in Magdeburg, Germany. Authorities believe the Saudi Arabian doctor driving the vehicle acted deliberately, though he was not previously known to security services as an extremist. The incident occurred amidst heightened security concerns following previous attacks and warnings, raising questions about the consistency of security measures across German cities. The attack comes less than a month after a national call for increased vigilance at Christmas markets.
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Bais Chaya Mushka Girls Elementary School in North York was shot at for the third time this year, with six shots fired into the building early Friday morning. Toronto Police, including the gun and gang task force and hate crime unit, are investigating, with a 24/7 police presence now at the school. While no one was injured, the incident has understandably caused significant distress within the school community and broader Jewish community, prompting strong condemnation from Mayor Chow and Prime Minister Trudeau. Despite the attacks, school officials and parents have stated their determination to continue classes.
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Since Russia’s 1997 Criminal Code, over 1,000 treason-related charges have been filed, with a dramatic surge—792 cases—following the 2022 Ukraine invasion. A significant portion of these cases, at least 359 in 2024, resulted in prison sentences, with no acquittals recorded since Vladimir Putin’s ascent to power. Recent high-profile cases include the 12-year sentence for Ksenia Karelina, a dual citizen, for aiding a Ukrainian charity, and other convictions for relatively small donations to Ukraine. The Kremlin’s crackdown also extends to scientists, with numerous specialists in hypersonic technology facing treason charges.
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Elon Musk’s social media tirade against a bipartisan spending bill triggered panic within the GOP, leading House Speaker Mike Johnson to directly lobby Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to avoid a government shutdown. Despite Johnson’s efforts, Musk’s opposition, coupled with Trump’s initial disapproval, brought the government to the brink of shutdown. A revised bill, subsequently endorsed by both Musk and Trump, offers a potential solution, highlighting the unusual influence wielded by Musk and the precarious political dynamics of the current GOP landscape. This episode showcases the growing power of social media in shaping government policy and the escalating tension between Trump and Musk for political dominance.
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Elon Musk’s recent actions are causing considerable concern, particularly his apparent endorsement of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as the country heads towards elections. This isn’t an isolated incident; similar patterns of behavior have been observed in the US, UK, and Canada, leading many to speculate about Musk’s broader political ambitions and motivations. The sheer scale of his influence, fueled by his vast wealth and control over influential platforms like Twitter, is deeply unsettling.
The worry is palpable. Musk’s overt support for far-right groups raises serious questions about his intentions and the potential impact on democratic processes. It’s a concerning development, particularly given the AfD’s history and platform, which include elements of nationalism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and climate change denial.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood