Minnesota House Democrats staged a walkout on the first day of the legislative session, preventing a quorum and blocking Republicans from electing a speaker. Republicans, despite lacking a quorum, proceeded to elect Rep. Lisa Demuth as speaker, a move Democrats intend to challenge in court. This action follows disputes over the seating of two Democratic representatives, one due to a residency challenge and another due to a ballot counting error. Democrats plan to maintain their walkout until a special election in late January, which is expected to restore the 67-67 party balance.
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Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, marking the first time Kyiv has taken North Korean POWs. President Zelensky offered to return these soldiers to Kim Jong Un in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. The Kremlin expressed interest in prisoner exchanges but remained noncommittal. Ukraine estimates thousands of North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, contributing to the ongoing conflict. Zelensky asserted that this exchange would further expose Russia’s reliance on North Korean military support.
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Germany’s latest military aid shipment to Ukraine includes thousands of artillery shells (155mm and 122mm), hundreds of combat and reconnaissance drones (HF-1, VECTOR, HEIDRUN, SONGBIRD), and various other supplies such as mortar shells and medical equipment. Further deliveries of armored fighting vehicles (Marder, Boxer, and MRAPs), self-propelled artillery (RCH 155), and the first of 54 ordered howitzers are also confirmed. This follows reported internal German government discussions concerning a substantial additional €3 billion weapons package.
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Democrats are voicing concerns that the FBI failed to interview key witnesses during the background check for Pete Hegseth’s nomination. This omission is raising serious questions about the thoroughness and impartiality of the investigation.
The lack of interviews with critical witnesses is particularly troubling given Hegseth’s history. Allegations of past misconduct, including issues related to alcohol and workplace behavior, should have prompted a more comprehensive inquiry. This situation echoes the controversy surrounding the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination, where similar concerns about the scope of the FBI investigation were raised.
The parallels to the Kavanaugh investigation are striking. In both cases, credible allegations of misconduct were made, yet critical witnesses appear to have been overlooked by the FBI.… Continue reading
Australian scientists have confirmed a new species of funnel-web spider, significantly larger and possessing more potent venom glands than its infamous cousin. Dubbed “big boy,” *Atrax christenseni* can reach 9cm in length and, despite its enhanced venom, is neutralized by the existing antivenom. The discovery was made near Newcastle, and the spider’s classification as a separate species was confirmed by a collaborative research team. While posing a significant threat, no human fatalities from funnel-web bites have been recorded since the development of the antivenom.
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President Biden will remove Cuba from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list, reversing a Trump-era decision. This action, part of a prisoner release deal facilitated by the Catholic Church, is intended to normalize relations and alleviate Cuba’s economic hardship. The deal includes the release of hundreds of prisoners, potentially including those detained following 2021 anti-government protests. While Cuba welcomes the move, the decision’s long-term impact remains uncertain, particularly given potential future administrations’ policies.
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During his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing, Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, faced intense questioning regarding his past statements on women in the military, with Senators Shaheen and Gillibrand highlighting inconsistencies between his prior criticisms and his recent supportive statements. Hegseth’s nomination also drew sharp criticism from Democratic Senators concerning numerous allegations, including sexual assault, financial misconduct, and inflammatory remarks. Despite these concerns and a lack of relevant management experience, Hegseth’s confirmation remains possible with Trump’s continued support. The hearing was further disrupted by protesters who voiced their disapproval of his nomination.
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Pete Hegseth’s apparent willingness to order soldiers to fire upon protesters is deeply unsettling. The very notion that this possibility isn’t met with outright condemnation is alarming. It suggests a disturbing normalization of violence against those exercising their right to dissent. The potential consequences of such an action are staggering, echoing historical tragedies like the Kent State shootings, but on a potentially far larger scale.
This isn’t simply a matter of speculation or “seeming” open to the idea; it feels like a deliberate and calculated position. The appointment of Hegseth and other like-minded individuals to positions of power strongly suggests a concerted effort to establish a system where dissent is met with forceful suppression.… Continue reading
Claims that dozens of Oregon firetrucks were turned away from assisting with California wildfires due to failing smog checks are false. Oregon and California fire officials confirm that trucks underwent routine safety and maintenance checks at a Davis, California facility before proceeding to Los Angeles. News reports and photos corroborate the presence of out-of-state firetrucks actively fighting the fires. The initial claims originated from a since-deleted social media post and were subsequently refuted by official statements. This misinformation spread despite the successful interstate collaboration facilitated by the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
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The SEC is suing Elon Musk for securities fraud, alleging he concealed his acquisition of over 5% of Twitter’s stock before its purchase, enabling him to buy shares at artificially low prices and save at least $150 million. Musk’s lawyer dismissed the suit as a “sham” and a result of harassment. The SEC claims Musk was required to disclose his holdings by March 24, 2022, but didn’t do so until April 4th, after purchasing hundreds of millions of dollars of shares. The lawsuit seeks disgorgement of Musk’s profits and civil penalties.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood