Following the November 5th election, approximately 200 absentee ballots in Madison, Wisconsin went uncounted, prompting a state investigation into the city clerk’s actions. The Wisconsin Elections Commission launched the investigation due to the late disclosure of the issue, nearly a month and a half after the election, and the significant number of uncounted ballots. Although the uncounted votes did not alter election outcomes, the commission deemed the oversight serious enough to warrant a full investigation into potential legal violations and procedural failures. The city clerk’s office has pledged to cooperate and implement improved processes to prevent similar occurrences in future elections.
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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy affirmed that elections are contingent upon the cessation of active warfare and the subsequent lifting of martial law. He emphasized that current legislation prohibits elections under martial law, rendering them impossible until these conditions are met. Zelenskyy expressed his belief that elections should follow swiftly after the end of martial law. This aligns with the Ukrainian constitution, which dictates the legitimacy of the current government until a successor is elected.
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Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faced a standoff at his residence as investigators attempted to execute a detention warrant stemming from his brief declaration of martial law. Presidential security personnel resisted the investigators’ entry, while hundreds of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside in protest. This incident follows Yoon’s impeachment and ongoing investigation into his actions, which have paralyzed South Korean politics. The warrant’s validity is contested by Yoon’s legal team, and the situation remains tense as the Constitutional Court deliberates on upholding the impeachment. The outcome will determine Yoon’s ultimate fate and resolve the ongoing political crisis.
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James Vanest, 68, killed in a shootout with authorities in November, has been identified as the perpetrator in the 1981 murder of Debra Miller. Advanced DNA analysis linked Vanest’s genetic material to evidence from the crime scene, despite his initial denials and subsequent flight from Ohio. The reopened investigation, utilizing modern DNA techniques, ultimately solved the decades-old cold case. Authorities hope this brings closure to Miller’s family.
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Sheriff McMahill noted striking similarities between the New Year’s Day Cybertruck bombing in Las Vegas and the Bourbon Street attack in New Orleans, including both perpetrators’ service at Fort Bragg and deployment to Afghanistan in 2009, as well as their vehicle rentals. Despite these similarities, law enforcement has yet to establish a connection between the two incidents. The Las Vegas perpetrator, identified as Matthew Livelsberger, died by suicide before the explosion, leaving investigators to examine his electronic devices for clues. The investigation is ongoing, focusing on determining a motive and exploring international leads.
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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan presented President Biden with potential options for a preemptive US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, contingent on Iran’s advancement of its weapons program before a specified date. While some aides saw strategic advantages in such action, the options presented were exploratory, not a formal plan, and no decision was made. A month has passed since this meeting, with no further discussion of military action. President Biden has previously stated his opposition to an Israeli strike but acknowledged Iran’s concerning nuclear activities and the imposition of sanctions.
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Bernie Sanders opposes Elon Musk’s and the tech right’s support for the H-1B visa program, arguing that it exploits foreign workers and benefits corporations by suppressing wages. Sanders contends the program replaces higher-paying American jobs with lower-wage foreign labor, enriching corporations at the expense of both American and foreign workers. He advocates for reforms including increased fees for large corporations, a higher minimum wage for guest workers, and easier job switching for those on H-1B visas. This debate highlights a growing divide within the Republican party and pits Sanders against both Musk and some within the MAGA base.
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In a 2015 statement, Carter defined American superpower status not just by military might, but by championing peace, human rights, environmental protection, and global generosity, noting the nation’s relatively infrequent periods of peace. He further criticized the 2004 Iraq War, calling it a conflict predicated on falsehoods originating from both the U.S. and British governments. These views highlight Carter’s consistent emphasis on ethical foreign policy and a reassessment of American global power.
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Agnes Keleti, the world’s oldest living Olympic medalist, passed away at 103 in Budapest. A highly successful Jewish athlete, she won ten Olympic medals—five gold—in gymnastics during the 1952 and 1956 Games, overcoming the interruption of her career by World War II and the Holocaust. After surviving the war in hiding, she competed for Hungary before seeking asylum in Australia and eventually immigrating to Israel where she coached gymnastics. Her remarkable life spanned incredible athletic achievement and the enduring strength of a Holocaust survivor.
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A Chinese submarine drone, marked “HY-119,” was discovered off the coast of the Philippines, raising concerns about national security. The drone, described as a torpedo-shaped underwater navigation and communication system, was unarmed but capable of monitoring and reconnaissance. This incident follows recent escalations in the South China Sea, including Chinese coast guard vessels using water cannons against a Philippine vessel, and a Russian submarine transit. The U.S. has a defense treaty obligation to the Philippines, increasing the potential for further military involvement in the region.
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John Q. Hosedrinker