Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the number of new entry-level UK jobs has decreased by nearly a third, with roles for graduates, apprentices, and junior positions experiencing a significant drop. This decline coincides with businesses increasingly adopting AI to enhance efficiency and reduce staff numbers. Experts warn of the potential for AI to eliminate entry-level jobs, while also acknowledging the possibility of AI-driven creation of new roles. The technology secretary urges workers and businesses to embrace AI to avoid being left behind in a rapidly evolving job market.
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Sberbank CEO German Gref has warned of significant economic challenges ahead for Russia, predicting difficulties stemming from military spending, inflation, and high interest rates that could extend into 2026. The quality of loan portfolios is declining, with increasing requests for debt restructuring from borrowers. Bloomberg reports a growing risk of a banking crisis within the next year, citing a surge in defaults not yet reflected in official statistics. Corporate debt has risen substantially, particularly among Russia’s largest companies, and mutual non-payments between companies are also increasing.
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On Monday, Israeli forces launched airstrikes and gunfire, resulting in the deaths of at least 74 people in Gaza. Airstrikes, including one on a crowded cafe in Gaza City, caused numerous casualties and injuries. In addition to the airstrikes, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians seeking food aid, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries near aid distribution sites. The Israeli military stated they are reviewing information regarding the attacks and have taken steps to improve organization for the GHF, but Palestinians claim they were indiscriminately fired upon. This continued violence led to widespread evacuation orders and a “scorched earth” campaign across Gaza City and Jabaliya.
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A recent Gallup poll indicates a significant decline in national pride, particularly among Democrats, with only 36% expressing pride. This has created the widest partisan gap since 2001, alongside younger generations demonstrating lower patriotism levels than their elders. While 92% of Republicans feel proud, only four in ten Gen Z members and six in ten Millennials share the sentiment. Experts suggest that generational differences, and specifically the political leanings of each generation, are contributing factors to this trend, with Democrats and Independents showing a slow but consistent decline in national pride over time.
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Peter Thiel, a prominent figure in Silicon Valley, believes Western civilization has been in a state of stagnation since the 1970s, blaming it on the counterculture and the rise of the environmental movement. Thiel’s views, influenced by his analysis, have resonated with his peers, leading many to distance themselves from mainstream Democrats. His analysis of stagnation as requiring a radical right-wing political turn has had a profound influence on his peers in Silicon Valley. Thiel views figures like Greta Thunberg as the Antichrist, reflecting his belief in a literal interpretation of biblical dangers.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) is making denaturalization a top priority, directing its attorneys to aggressively pursue cases against naturalized citizens who commit crimes. This initiative will focus on individuals who may have committed fraud or other violations, expanding the criteria for which crimes could result in a loss of citizenship. Immigration experts express serious concerns about the constitutionality of the effort, especially regarding its potential impact on naturalized citizens and their families. The government has indicated that it plans to pursue these cases through civil litigation, raising due process questions and fears of creating a second class of citizens.
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Senator Bernie Sanders sharply criticized the Republican budget reconciliation package on the Senate floor, deeming it “the most dangerous piece of legislation in the modern history of our country” due to its severe cuts to Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and other vital programs. He warned of deadly consequences, citing a study projecting over 50,000 preventable deaths annually resulting from healthcare cuts. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the package would slash Medicaid by over $1 trillion and remove health insurance for nearly 12 million Americans, all to provide tax breaks for the wealthy. Sanders intends to propose amendments to lower prescription drug costs, eliminate an estate tax break, and remove $150 billion for the Pentagon.
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The U.S. Department of Justice sued the city of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass, and City Council members, claiming the city’s sanctuary city law is illegal and hindering federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit, filed by the Trump administration, argues that L.A.’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities has resulted in “lawlessness,” with the federal government even deploying the National Guard. Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi asserts the city’s policies are the cause of recent violence, while Mayor Bass counters that federal agents are the ones creating chaos. The city’s ordinance, which restricts city employees from aiding in immigration enforcement, is seen by the federal government as intentionally discriminating against federal authorities, leading to the legal challenge.
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The article details a new Russian tactic in Ukraine, recruiting Ukrainians through Telegram to carry out bombings in exchange for money. These recruits, often unemployed or teenagers, are lured with easy tasks and then threatened or manipulated into escalating their actions. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained over 700 individuals for sabotage and terrorism related to this campaign, which is part of a larger shadow war. The SBU is working to counter these efforts by disrupting the recruitment process, using technical means to block detonating signals, and educating the public. There are concerns that these tactics may be exported to the west.
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US says it halts healthcare fraud schemes worth nearly $15 billion. Wow, that’s a hefty sum, isn’t it? It’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer scale of the numbers involved. Nearly $15 billion in healthcare fraud schemes stopped – that sounds like a significant victory. You can’t help but wonder, though, where all this money was going and who was benefiting.
US says it halts healthcare fraud schemes worth nearly $15 billion. The details start to emerge, and it appears this “operation” involved a huge number of players. Criminal charges have been filed against 324 defendants, and the authorities have seized over $245 million in assets, including cash and luxury goods.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood