According to a new lawsuit, a fatal UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky resulted from corporate decisions prioritizing profit over safety, specifically by continuing to operate older aircraft without enhancing maintenance protocols. The crash, which occurred during takeoff due to engine detachment and subsequent wing cracks, claimed the lives of three pilots and eleven people on the ground. The lawsuit, naming UPS, General Electric, Boeing, and VT San Antonio Aerospace, alleges that the nearly 30-year-old MD-11 jets were unsafe, with inadequate inspections potentially failing to identify the cracks. Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all remaining MD-11s, with potential for costly repairs or replacements, while legal proceedings continue.
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Derek Chauvin, convicted in the murder of George Floyd, is seeking a new trial after serving five years of his sentence. His attorney argues the initial trial was unfair, citing prosecutorial misconduct and false expert witness testimony, hoping to overturn his murder conviction and the related federal civil rights charges. Previously, Chauvin appealed the verdict due to excessive publicity and procedural errors, including a juror’s undisclosed participation in a civil rights event. Despite these efforts, an appeals court upheld the initial trial’s handling of the case, and separately, Chauvin also received a federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights.
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Following reports of potentially unlawful airstrikes in the Caribbean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a cartoon depicting Franklin the Turtle targeting “narco terrorists,” a move deemed childish and unprofessional. This post was made in the context of increasing scrutiny over the administration’s actions, including allegations of a second strike against survivors, potentially constituting a war crime. Regardless of the legal justifications for the attacks, Hegseth’s post, which also sends a poor message to the military, is deeply inappropriate and offensive. Investigations are being demanded by congressional leaders concerning the legality of the attacks, and the administration has refused to release requested information.
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In response to a rise in hybrid threats, Germany has established a new federal police unit specializing in drone detection and neutralization. This unit, comprising over 130 officers, will be deployed nationwide and is authorized to detect, intercept, and potentially disable drones. The German government has allocated over €100 million for counter-drone technology, including sensors and jammers, with equipment sourced from both German and Israeli manufacturers. This initiative follows increased reports of suspicious drone activity near critical infrastructure and a recent expansion of police authority to address these threats.
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The Russian Finance Ministry announced a significant decrease in oil and gas revenues for November, marking a 34% drop year-over-year. This decline, attributed to sanctions, weak crude prices, and a strong ruble, resulted in 530.9 billion rubles collected in oil and gas taxes. Mineral extraction tax revenue decreased by 36% and export duties by nearly 40%, further contributing to the revenue shortfall. The Urals crude average price also fell to its lowest point since March 2023 at $44.87 per barrel in November, which added to the economic pressures.
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A recall has been issued for over 260,000 cases of shredded cheese sold across 31 states and Puerto Rico due to potential metal fragment contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Great Lakes Cheese Co. initiated the recall, impacting various store-brand labels at retailers like Target, Walmart, and Aldi. Affected cheeses include mozzarella, Italian style, pizza style, and blends. The FDA classifies this as a Class II recall, indicating a potential for temporary or reversible health issues, such as dental damage or lacerations, if ingested.
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Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of Defense, should be charged with murder due to his involvement in strikes on boats in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of approximately 83 civilians. Despite claims of a “war” against drug cartels, the article argues that these actions constitute murder, as the victims were unarmed civilians not posing an imminent threat. Even if a war were declared, international laws of war still prohibit the intentional killing of non-combatants, making the attacks war crimes. Hegseth’s alleged order to “kill everybody” after an initial strike and his subsequent statements reinforce the argument that his actions are criminal and warrant prosecution under federal murder statutes.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a $7.3 million US order for 20 armored vehicles from Canadian manufacturer Roshel, citing a need for immediate support of agents in the field. Procurement documents indicate Roshel was chosen through a sole-source contract because it was the only company able to meet the department’s specifications and 30-day delivery requirement. The vehicles, Senator STANG emergency response tactical vehicles, are designed to withstand bullets and bomb blasts. This purchase comes amidst controversy surrounding ICE and allegations of human rights abuses, and despite former President Trump’s “America-first” trade policy.
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Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, sentenced to 45 years in prison for flooding the U.S. with over 400 tons of cocaine, received a pardon. The Justice Department described Hernández as the center of a massive drug-trafficking conspiracy that involved enabling violence, corruption, and murder. Evidence presented during the trial revealed Hernández accepted bribes, including $1 million from “El Chapo,” and allegedly made statements indicating his intent to flood the U.S. with drugs. He also allegedly used drug money to manipulate election results.
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In Brussels on December 3rd, five NATO allies announced new purchases of U.S. defense materiel for Kyiv under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), including two joint packages totaling $1 billion, co-financed by Germany, Norway, and Poland, as well as Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands. Canada and the U.K. also pledged financial support. These commitments were made as discussions with Russia regarding a U.S.-Ukraine peace plan yielded no breakthrough and as Putin has demonstrated unwillingness to negotiate, prompting the allied nations to increase pressure on Russia. The meeting will also include talks with Ukrainian officials, who are expected to brief European national security advisors on the status of peace talks.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE Orders Armored Vehicles From Canada: Raising Questions and Concerns
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a $7.3 million US order for 20 armored vehicles from Canadian manufacturer Roshel, citing a need for immediate support of agents in the field. Procurement documents indicate Roshel was chosen through a sole-source contract because it was the only company able to meet the department’s specifications and 30-day delivery requirement. The vehicles, Senator STANG emergency response tactical vehicles, are designed to withstand bullets and bomb blasts. This purchase comes amidst controversy surrounding ICE and allegations of human rights abuses, and despite former President Trump’s “America-first” trade policy.
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