Santa Fe, known for its unique culture, is implementing a pioneering ordinance to combat a housing affordability crisis by directly linking wages to both consumer prices and fair market rent. This groundbreaking approach, which will raise the minimum wage to $17.50 by 2027, aims to help approximately 9,000 workers, or about 20% of the city’s workforce, afford to live in Santa Fe. City officials are also pursuing additional strategies like increased housing permits and a mansion tax to ensure the city’s diverse population can continue to thrive. Ultimately, this effort represents a critical step in preserving Santa Fe’s identity as “The City Different”.
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As Amazon prepares for a major shopping event, a global coalition of unions, tech workers, and human rights groups is organizing strikes and protests in over 30 countries as part of the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign. The campaign accuses Amazon of exacerbating inequality, undermining democratic rights, and contributing to environmental harm. This year’s demonstrations will address the company’s expanding influence, including its involvement in logistics, cloud services, and political lobbying, while highlighting issues such as harsh working conditions and environmental impacts. Protests are planned worldwide, and the campaign demands that Amazon fairly compensate workers, pay taxes, and address the environmental damage caused by its operations.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged a US plan to end the war in Ukraine could be a foundation for future agreements, confirming an upcoming meeting with a US delegation. However, he reiterated Russia’s demand for Ukrainian troop withdrawal from occupied territories, threatening to achieve this through military means. This stance, coupled with Russia’s maximalist demands, suggests slim chances for immediate resolution, despite ongoing negotiations and discussions of a revised peace plan.
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Moldovan Parliament votes to close Russian cultural centre, a significant move that’s definitely making waves in the political landscape. It’s not just a symbolic gesture; it’s a concrete step in a much larger game of influence and security, reflecting Moldova’s determination to distance itself from Russia. This decision seems to be driven by a clear desire to reduce Moscow’s sway and reaffirm Moldova’s path toward the European Union.
This vote underscores the current pro-European stance of the Moldovan government, led by President Maia Sandu, whose party holds a majority in the parliament. They’re really pushing for EU membership by the end of this decade, and this closure is just one more indication of their commitment.… Continue reading
During a meeting with journalists, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to confuse the names of settlements in the Donetsk region, incorrectly stating that a battle for Komsomolsk was ongoing. Putin also reiterated false claims about the encirclement of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, as well as control over a significant portion of Siversk. This misidentification of locations and exaggerated reports of territorial gains follow previous inaccurate statements regarding the situation in the region. The statements suggest a disconnect between Putin’s assertions and the reality on the ground.
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One of two National Guard members wounded in a “targeted shooting” has died, as Trump has stated. This tragic event immediately triggers a cascade of thoughts and questions, swirling around the core issue: the senseless loss of life. It’s impossible to ignore the inherent sadness and the heavy weight of grief, especially when considering the circumstances of the incident and the implications that follow. This is undeniably a heartbreaking situation, a stark reminder of the human cost of violence and the complexities of political actions.
The immediate reaction is a mix of anger and disbelief, particularly when considering the potential political ramifications.… Continue reading
Expanding educational ties, Russia has accepted 96 North Korean students to universities last year, including MGIMO, and enrolled 29 in geology programs this year. Collaboration extends across sectors like banking, energy, medicine, and geology, with Russia constructing a language center in North Korea. These actions reflect growing relations, further strengthened by North Korean military and cyber support, and increased tourism since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
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GOP senator calls to ban, deport ‘Islam’ immigrants over National Guard shooting. The reaction to this proposed policy is, unsurprisingly, strong and varied, reflecting the deep divisions within the country. It’s almost unbelievable that, in the wake of a National Guard shooting, a US Senator would suggest such a sweeping and discriminatory action. The core idea, that an entire group of people – in this case, immigrants who practice Islam – should be banned and deported because of the actions of a single individual, immediately raises red flags. It’s a suggestion that taps into deeply rooted prejudices and plays on fear, and many see it as a blatant example of Islamophobia.… Continue reading
President Trump has publicly accused six members of Congress of being “traitors” for producing a video reminding members of the armed forces that they can refuse illegal orders, going so far as to suggest they should be arrested and put on trial. This reaction underscores Trump’s pattern of viewing criticism as an attack on the state, revealing both his disregard for free speech and his narcissistic tendencies. The video itself, which made reference to controversial actions by Trump, merely reiterated the established legal principle that service members have a duty to disobey unlawful orders. Despite this, Trump’s response shows his habit of equating dissent with treason, as he has done with previous critics, and highlights an authoritarian impulse.
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New footage shows Israeli forces fatally shooting two Palestinians in the West Bank who appeared to have surrendered during an ongoing military operation in Jenin. The Israeli military claimed the men were wanted individuals associated with a “terror network,” and the incident is under review. The Palestinian Authority condemned the killings as a “war crime,” while Israel’s national security minister fully supported the officers involved. The raid is part of a larger Israeli campaign in the northern West Bank, which has seen a spike in violence since the Hamas attack in October 2023.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood