Well, let’s unpack this headline: Israel investing over $100 billion in homegrown arms production, as revealed by Netanyahu. It’s a pretty eye-catching figure, isn’t it? A hundred billion dollars is a serious chunk of change, and it immediately gets you thinking about the scale of Israel’s defense ambitions and capabilities. It’s hard not to wonder what that kind of money can buy, especially in the world of high-tech weaponry and military infrastructure.
When you see a country committing such a substantial sum, you start to consider the deeper implications. One of the first things that pops into my head is the ammunition.… Continue reading
North Korea has unveiled images of a completed submarine hull, with reports suggesting Russia provided essential components. This development is occurring amid heightened tensions in the region and follows North Korea’s condemnation of South Korea’s plans for a nuclear-powered submarine. The construction of a nuclear-powered submarine aligns with Kim Jong Un’s previously stated priorities. Experts suggest that the technological assistance from Russia may have been provided in exchange for North Korean support of Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine.
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U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was recently indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami on charges of stealing millions in federal disaster-relief funds. The indictment alleges that she and her brother conspired to steal $5 million in FEMA funds that were mistakenly overpaid to their family healthcare company. Prosecutors claim the funds were then funneled into her congressional campaign and used to purchase a $109,000 yellow diamond ring. Interestingly, when she reposted her congressional portrait on Christmas Day, eagle-eyed observers noticed the ring was missing from her hand, sparking online speculation and drawing attention to the charges.
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In a recent interview with The i Paper, Congressman Ro Khanna stated the Royal Family should be ashamed and provide financial reparations to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. This follows the release of new materials from the Epstein files, including a photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and an email allegedly from him. The Congressman highlighted that many of Epstein’s victims were considered poor and vulnerable. While Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing and reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, these revelations have led to increased scrutiny of the Royal Family.
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Japan’s Cabinet has approved a record defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen for the coming year, marking a 9.4% increase and the fourth year of a program to double annual arms spending. This allocation aims to bolster the nation’s strike-back capabilities and coastal defense through the acquisition of cruise missiles and unmanned systems, driven by rising regional tensions. The budget, which includes plans for joint development of fighter jets with Britain and Italy, along with the purchase of upgraded missiles, reflects a strategic shift towards a more offensive military posture. This military buildup has raised concerns from China, while Japan plans to fund its military spending by increasing corporate and tobacco taxes.
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The latest Gallup poll reveals that former President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has reached a joint-worst of 36 percent at the end of his first year back in office, matching his own score from the end of his first term. This decline follows a high of 50 percent at the start of his second term, with Silver Bulletin’s data showing a steady downturn beginning in June, resulting in negative ratings across key performance areas like immigration, trade, the economy, and inflation. Despite strong support from Republicans, independent voters’ approval of Trump has nearly halved, indicating potential challenges for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections, further evidenced by a Quinnipiac University poll showing a majority of voters believe Trump has overstepped his authority.
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India’s top refiner quietly returns to Russian oil with shadowed supply route despite US sanctions. It’s almost comical, isn’t it? The narrative is that India’s top refiner is supposedly “quietly” slipping back into the arms of Russian oil, all while the US is throwing around sanctions. The reality? Not so subtle. We’re talking about supertankers, massive vessels that can’t exactly sneak around undetected. The “quietly” part feels more like a carefully chosen word to create the illusion of some clandestine operation, when in reality, it’s just business as usual, or at least, a return to it. It’s like a wink and a nod, with everyone pretending to be surprised.… Continue reading
Representative Jamie Raskin criticized the redactions in the recently released Epstein files, suggesting they are illogical and potentially part of a cover-up. Raskin argued the redactions don’t align with the permissible reasons outlined in the statute, citing a lack of ongoing investigations and national security concerns. He further speculated that the actions of the Justice Department are designed to protect Donald Trump and his associates, possibly related to their connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Raskin stated that Democrats are considering litigation and other potential actions, acknowledging that solutions would require a majority in Congress.
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In a Christmas Day rant, Donald Trump targeted individuals connected to Jeffrey Epstein, accusing them of abandoning Epstein when the situation became unfavorable. He claimed these “sleazebags” would face scrutiny in the ongoing investigations. Trump also criticized The New York Times, suggesting their reporting on the Epstein files would harm their associates, and signed off with a foreboding holiday message. This follows previous online criticisms directed at political opponents. Furthermore, Trump has notably distanced himself from Epstein amidst the Justice Department’s handling of related files.
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Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was arrested by Iranian security forces on Friday at a memorial ceremony for a lawyer, Khosrow Alikordi, who recently died. Mohammadi, along with other activists including Sepideh Gholian, was detained in Mashhad after attending the ceremony, where attendees chanted anti-government slogans. Alikordi, who had defended clients in sensitive cases, was found dead on December 5th, with rights groups raising concerns about his death. Mohammadi, currently on temporary leave from prison, has been a vocal critic of the Iranian government and has been imprisoned for much of the past decade.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker