Texas prison official “sick” of being Ghislaine Maxwell’s “b—h” is a sentiment that encapsulates a simmering resentment, fueled by the perceived preferential treatment afforded to a convicted child sex trafficker within the prison system. The whistleblower allegations paint a picture of Ghislaine Maxwell enjoying a level of comfort and access that appears to be far beyond what is typical for incarcerated individuals, even those with significant resources. This raises serious questions about the fairness and integrity of the justice system, particularly when it comes to the treatment of individuals with powerful connections or information that could be considered damaging to those in positions of authority.… Continue reading
In Belgrade, Serbia, thousands protested against a $500 million luxury development project linked to Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. The project, planned for the site of the former Yugoslav Army headquarters, which was destroyed during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign, has sparked outrage due to alleged corruption and historical significance. The government has fast-tracked the project by classifying it as “urgent,” despite legal challenges and claims that the development erases a painful part of national history. Critics also fear the replacement of the ruins with luxury towers will erase a painful part of national history.
Read More
Schumer is now the most unpopular Senate Democratic leader on record, say polls, and it’s difficult to ignore the stark reality this paints. The sentiment circulating is overwhelmingly negative, and it’s easy to see why. The criticism isn’t just about policy disagreements; it goes deeper, touching on a perceived lack of leadership, strategic failures, and a general sense of being out of touch. The feeling is that he’s failing to effectively push back against a resurgent, often aggressive, Republican Party.
The common refrain is that Schumer consistently “cedes ground,” opting for a strategy that prioritizes seeking common ground with Republicans, even when it yields little or nothing in return.… Continue reading
Taake, who participated in the Capitol riots while out on bond, was convicted of attacking a police officer. Before the riots, Taake faced charges in Harris County, Texas, for sending explicit messages to an undercover police officer posing as a minor. Despite being sentenced for his Capitol crimes, and having exhibited no remorse for his actions, Taake was released from a federal prison just months into his six-year term due to the time served and a blanket pardon from Trump.
Read More
In November 2023, the Bratislava prosecutor’s office announced that Slovakia’s 2023 transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine was not a criminal offense. The previous Slovak government, led by Eduard Heger, had donated the aircraft, making Slovakia the first to send warplanes to Kyiv after Russia’s full-scale invasion. The current government, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, had filed a criminal complaint against Heger and former Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad, but the investigation concluded the donation caused no harm to Slovakia and that officials did not act unlawfully. Nad has since welcomed the decision and expects a public apology from the current government.
Read More
In a significant development stemming from the controversial August 2023 raid on the Marion County Record, Marion County has agreed to pay over $3 million and issue an apology. The settlement, which involved federal lawsuits filed by the newspaper’s parent company, employees, and others, aims to discourage similar actions against news organizations. The raid, led by the former police chief, sparked national debate on press freedom, and the county sheriff issued an apology. Legal claims against the city and city officials remain unresolved, and the former police chief is set for trial in February on related charges.
Read More
Senator John Fetterman has faced criticism from both within his party and from constituents following his vote to end the government shutdown. His public support of a union’s labor victory was met with accusations of hypocrisy, as the union criticized his vote for potentially harming healthcare access for many people. Fetterman’s vote to restart federal funding, deviating from the Democratic party line, was seen as a betrayal that paved the way for the shutdown’s end with few concessions for Democrats. The vote is seen as having negative ramifications for many people, especially regarding healthcare.
Read More
The Milan Attorney General’s Office is investigating allegations that Italians paid to travel to Sarajevo during the Bosnian War to shoot civilians, mirroring the brutality of the “Sniper Alley.” The investigation centers on accusations of intentional homicide motivated by cruelty, where individuals with far-right connections allegedly paid between €80,000 and €100,000 for this “human safari.” The complaint, filed by a writer and journalist, is supported by information gathered from a documentary and various witnesses, including Bosnian intelligence agents. The investigation aims to uncover the truth about these alleged atrocities, with the Bosnian government offering full cooperation.
Read More
China prepares plan to restrict U.S. military from its rare earths – WSJ, and it’s quite the strategic move. The initial reports suggest a complex dance of actions. On the one hand, there’s talk of easing the flow of rare earths and critical materials to the U.S. But, a closer look reveals that this “easing” comes with a caveat. The plan involves a “validated end-user” system. This system is designed to exclude companies with ties to the U.S. military. Meanwhile, it promises to fast-track shipments to civilian firms. Hmm, sounds a bit like having your cake and eating it too, doesn’t it?… Continue reading
President Donald Trump is seeking to overturn the jury’s verdict in a civil lawsuit where he was found liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll and later defaming her. His legal team argues that the $5 million verdict was based on “indefensible evidentiary rulings,” allowing “inflammatory propensity evidence.” Trump’s lawyers claim the trial judge warped federal evidence rules to support Carroll’s claims, which they call a “politically motivated hoax.” The appeal to the Supreme Court follows a denial by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, who upheld the original verdict.
Read More