A final meeting of Ukraine’s Western allies, including President Zelensky, will occur at Ramstein Air Base in Germany before Donald Trump’s inauguration. US Defense Secretary Austin will announce a significant new military aid package for Ukraine at this meeting. The gathering aims to solidify support for Ukraine before Trump assumes office, given his past criticisms of military aid to Kyiv and uncertain approach to the conflict. Both sides in the war are attempting to secure advantageous positions before the anticipated changes in US policy.
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Shareholders are urging UnitedHealth to conduct a thorough analysis of the impact of its healthcare denials. This demand comes amidst growing public outcry and negative press surrounding the company’s practices, which many perceive as prioritizing profits over patient well-being. The shareholders clearly understand that this negative publicity is directly impacting the company’s bottom line, potentially affecting stock prices and investor confidence.
The urgency behind this request is palpable. The sheer volume of complaints suggests a systemic issue. One individual recounts a deeply personal experience where their wife’s epilepsy medication was denied, despite having refills remaining, resulting in a significant out-of-pocket expense.… Continue reading
Accountable.US filed a complaint alleging Robert F. Kennedy Jr. committed voter fraud by casting a New York ballot from an address a court ruled was not his residence. The complaint cites a New York judge’s previous ruling that Kennedy falsely claimed the Katonah address as his residence to gain ballot access, a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court. This action potentially jeopardizes Kennedy’s confirmation as Health and Human Services Secretary, as it raises concerns about his respect for the law. The complaint calls for an investigation into Kennedy’s alleged violation of New York election law, arguing his actions demonstrate a disregard for legal processes.
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Elon Musk revised his projected federal budget cuts from $2 trillion to $1 trillion, admitting the initial figure was an optimistic “best-case outcome.” This revised estimate, while still substantial, represents a significant downward revision from his previous claim. The $1 trillion goal, according to Musk, offers a “good shot” at achieving significant savings, though achieving this would likely require cuts to mandatory spending programs. Despite the lowered projection, Musk remains confident in contributing to a positive fiscal outcome for the Trump administration.
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Following a French police summons, Isaac Steidl, the 44-year-old founder of the website Coco.fr (later Coco.gg), was arrested. The site, allegedly facilitating over 23,000 crimes including rape, murder, and paedophilia, was registered in Guernsey and hosted in Bulgaria before its closure. Steidl, who reportedly renounced his French citizenship for Italian in 2023, returned to Paris for questioning. His legal team declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
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A joint investigation by The Insider and Der Spiegel reveals that the Russian GRU, between 2016 and 2019, allegedly paid Taliban and other militant groups up to $200,000 per US/coalition soldier killed, totaling an estimated $30 million. The scheme utilized a network of Afghan couriers, operating under the guise of a gemstone trading company, to distribute funds coordinated by GRU officers like Alexey Arkhipov and overseen by Lieutenant General Ivan Kasyanenko. Key figures such as Rahmatullah Azizi, a central operative, relocated to Russia after the operation’s exposure. These payments fueled attacks against coalition forces, with the investigation highlighting hindered official inquiries and US reluctance to acknowledge the program’s existence.
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President-elect Trump, facing imminent sentencing for falsifying business records, petitioned the Supreme Court to halt proceedings. His argument centers on a landmark “immunity” decision, claiming it shields him from prosecution. Supreme Court Justice Alito, who spoke with Trump before the filing but denies discussing the case, has faced criticism for prior rulings favoring Trump and right-wing interests. The court’s decision will determine whether Trump enters office as the first criminally convicted president.
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Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen asserts that NATO membership offers Ukraine the only credible long-term security guarantee against future Russian aggression. While a potential Trump presidency raises concerns about a peace deal involving Ukrainian concessions, Valtonen suggests that Ukraine’s NATO aspirations aren’t necessarily doomed, citing Finland and Sweden’s recent NATO accessions as evidence. She also supports Trump’s call for increased European defense spending, aligning Finland’s proactive approach with this objective. The ongoing debate highlights the complex interplay between geopolitical concerns, potential peace negotiations, and the future of Ukraine’s security.
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Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Iran since December 19th on charges of violating Iranian law, has been released and returned to Italy. Her release, greeted with celebration by Italian officials including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, followed weeks of headlines and speculation regarding a potential link to the arrest of an Iranian businessman in Italy on a US warrant. While Iran denied any connection between the two cases, intense diplomatic efforts secured Sala’s freedom. The circumstances surrounding her release remain unclear, though reports suggest involvement from US President-elect Trump.
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During the Palisades wildfire, insufficient water pressure in fire hydrants severely hampered firefighting efforts. Three large water tanks supplying the area’s higher elevations ran dry due to exceptionally high water demand—four times the normal rate—outpacing the system’s ability to refill them. This resulted in widespread criticism of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for inadequate infrastructure and chronic underinvestment. The situation highlighted the vulnerability of the city’s water system during major emergencies, especially in hilly terrain. Twenty water tankers were deployed to assist, but access to pump stations was also hampered by the fire.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood