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The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is scheduled to resume on December 30th, over a decade after the plane vanished with 239 people on board. Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company, will conduct the renewed search, covering a new 5,800-sq-mile site in the Indian Ocean under a “no find, no fee” contract with Malaysia. The flight disappeared in 2014, sparking an extensive underwater search that yielded no wreckage, though debris has been found along the coasts of Africa and surrounding islands. The Malaysian transport ministry has designated the search area as one with the highest probability of finding the aircraft, offering hope for closure to the victims’ families.
China launches military drills around Taiwan amid tensions with Japan, a recurring event that always seems to raise eyebrows. It’s a bit like a well-choreographed dance, isn’t it? These exercises, involving military aircraft and ships operating around the island, are definitely a show of force, and they’re particularly interesting when considered in the context of broader geopolitical tensions.
The timing of these drills often coincides with shifts in the global landscape. While some suggest China might be biding its time, waiting for the right moment to act, others view these maneuvers as simply routine. Of course, any military exercise near Taiwan is immediately seen as a potential precursor to something more, especially given the historical context and China’s stance on reunification.… Continue reading
During the Loyal Dolos 2025 exercise, Ukrainian experts participated for the first time in practicing mechanisms of Article 5 of the NATO Treaty. Representatives from the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC) assessed an Alliance unit’s combat capabilities, integrating lessons learned from Russia’s war against Ukraine into the scenario. This marked a strategically significant first for Ukrainian involvement in a key NATO training exercise under Article 5. Approximately 1,500 personnel across Europe participated in the exercise to assess the capabilities of a rapid deployment corps.
On Sunday, two helicopters collided midair near Hammonton Municipal Airport in southern New Jersey, resulting in one fatality and one injury. The aircraft involved were an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C helicopter, with only the pilots on board each. Emergency responders transported both victims to a trauma center, but one was in possible cardiac arrest. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation, while local officials, including Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, have expressed their condolences and offered support.
African regional governance bodies have rejected Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent nation. This move, the first by any country in over three decades, has been met with strong opposition from the African Union, Somalia’s federal government, and the East African governing body IGAD, all of whom reaffirm Somalia’s sovereignty. They emphasize Somaliland’s integral status within Somalia’s borders and view Israel’s action as a threat to regional peace and stability. The reasoning behind Israel’s decision remains unclear, although it comes amidst a backdrop of potential resettlement plans for Palestinians discussed earlier this year.
The FBI has increased its presence in Minnesota to combat large-scale fraud targeting federal programs. Director Kash Patel stated the agency has already dismantled a $250 million fraud scheme involving food aid intended for children, resulting in numerous indictments and convictions, but believes this is only the beginning. These comments follow estimates of $9 billion in stolen funds linked to the state’s Somali population. Furthermore, the administration has increased scrutiny on Representative Ilhan Omar and her family following the removal of officer details from her husband’s venture capital firm’s website.
Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress and singer, has died at the age of 91. Rising to international fame in the 1950s, Bardot was renowned for her roles in films such as “And God Created Woman,” and was considered a symbol of freedom. However, in her later years, Bardot retired from acting and became an animal rights activist and outspoken figure in far-right politics, which led to numerous convictions for inciting racial hatred. Her legacy remains complex, as she is remembered both as a cultural icon and a controversial figure.
A year after Texas implemented a policy blocking transgender residents from updating their state IDs, the state has compiled a list containing information on over 100 individuals who attempted to do so. The Texas Department of Public Safety gathered the names and license numbers of these individuals, sending them to a specific agency email account, though the exact purpose of this list remains undisclosed. Despite requests for clarification, state officials have not revealed the rationale behind collecting this data, nor if it is shared with other agencies. This action raises concerns among advocates, who fear the list might be used to further restrict the rights of transgender Texans, especially given recent legislation defining gender on state documents and limiting restroom access.
The New York City subway system is retiring the MetroCard, ending its three-decade reign after replacing tokens in 1994. The last day to buy or refill a MetroCard is December 31, 2025, with the transition to OMNY, a contactless payment system. OMNY allows riders to tap credit cards, phones, or other smart devices. This change is saving the transit system money and implementing a fare cap that allows unlimited free rides within a seven-day period.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood