In his New Year’s address, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy declared 2025 the year to end Russia’s invasion, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to securing peace through its own efforts and continued US support. This follows a year of significant Russian territorial gains—nearly 4,000 square kilometers in 2024 alone—and the termination of a key gas transit deal with Russia. A Russian drone strike on Kyiv on January 1st further underscored the ongoing conflict. The upcoming US presidential administration’s stance on aid to Ukraine remains a critical factor in the coming year.
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Connecticut’s attorney general has declared he would be the first to file a lawsuit if Donald Trump were to attempt to abolish birthright citizenship. This bold statement highlights the significant legal and political ramifications of such a move.
The assertion underscores the deep-seated belief that birthright citizenship, enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment, is a fundamental principle of American law. Challenging this long-standing legal precedent would undoubtedly trigger widespread legal challenges, and the Connecticut AG’s willingness to spearhead such a fight is a strong indication of the seriousness with which this threat is viewed.
It’s a testament to the potential for such an action to spark widespread opposition, particularly among those who view birthright citizenship as a cornerstone of American identity and the promise of equal opportunity.… Continue reading
Following the expiration of a key transit deal, Ukraine halted the flow of Russian natural gas through its territory to Europe. This expected, yet symbolically significant move comes after Europe significantly reduced its reliance on Russian gas. While Ukraine will lose approximately $800 million annually in transit fees, and Gazprom faces a near $5 billion loss in sales, Europe has prepared for this scenario by securing alternative supply routes and boosting LNG imports. Despite some potential short-term price fluctuations, major disruptions are deemed unlikely due to these preparations and a mild start to winter.
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Elon Musk’s recent X profile name change to “Kekius Maximus,” accompanied by a Pepe the Frog profile picture, has caused significant online buzz. This action coincided with a surge in the value of a similarly-named memecoin. While Musk offered no explanation, his past influence on cryptocurrency markets through social media posts fuels speculation about his potential involvement. The unexpected name change and Pepe image, a meme associated with far-right groups, further amplified the intrigue.
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Launched in 2009, the Beesat-1 CubeSat, a miniature satellite from TU Berlin, experienced operational failures by 2013, rendering its data transmission unusable. A hacker, PistonMiner, successfully restored Beesat-1’s functionality remotely by identifying and correcting a software error, despite limitations in the update mechanism. This involved creating a “Frankenstein Beesat” test model and utilizing the satellite’s existing, albeit limited, communication capabilities. The resulting update not only reactivated data transmission but also unexpectedly restored the onboard camera functionality, demonstrating a potential model for reviving defunct satellites.
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A man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, resulting in ten fatalities and over thirty injuries. The driver subsequently fired upon police officers, who returned fire. The incident, occurring in a crowded tourist area, is being investigated, though its precise motivation remains unclear. Officials have confirmed that the driver’s actions were deliberate, targeting revelers.
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Zimbabwe has officially abolished the death penalty, ending capital punishment after a nearly two-decade hiatus. President Mnangagwa, who previously faced a death sentence himself, approved legislation pardoning the approximately 60 individuals currently on death row. This move is lauded by Amnesty International as a positive step for the abolitionist movement in Africa, where several other nations are also considering similar reforms. The law reflects a global trend toward reducing capital punishment, although executions remain prevalent in several countries worldwide.
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Gazprom will halt natural gas supplies to Moldova’s Transnistria region starting January 1, 2025, citing unpaid debts by Moldovagaz. This decision, announced on December 28th, will reduce gas supplies to zero cubic meters per day until further notice. While Moldova has secured alternative gas supplies for its own consumption, Chișinău rejects responsibility for Transnistria’s debt and the termination further complicates already strained energy relations between Russia and Moldova. This action comes as Ukraine refuses to renew the transit agreement for Russian gas to Europe, effective January 1st, 2025.
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In 2024, the world’s 500 wealthiest individuals saw their collective net worth reach a record-breaking $10 trillion, driven primarily by a surge in US tech stocks. Elon Musk’s fortune soared to $442.1 billion, exceeding the second-place billionaire by a record margin, largely due to his close ties to the newly elected President Trump and the performance of his companies. This surge benefited other tech giants like Zuckerberg and Huang, contributing significantly to the overall increase. However, some billionaires, particularly those in the luxury goods and Chinese tech sectors, experienced substantial losses.
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