Democrat wins Iowa state Senate race, blocking GOP from regaining supermajority. This is a moment to celebrate, folks! The victory of Democrat Renee Hardman in an Iowa state Senate special election is significant on multiple levels. It’s a win that prevents the Republicans from achieving a supermajority, which would have given them even more unchecked power in the state legislature.
This win is a breath of fresh air in a political landscape that’s seen its share of ups and downs. It’s a testament to the power of voter engagement and the importance of every single election. The fact that this happened in Iowa, a state that’s been trending red, makes it even more remarkable.… Continue reading
In his New Year’s Eve speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his commitment to reunifying China and Taiwan, a self-governing island that China claims as its territory. This statement followed intense Chinese military drills around Taiwan, simulating a blockade and involving a significant number of warplanes, which were seen by analysts as a response to recent US arms sales to Taiwan. Xi’s speech also emphasized China’s progress in technological advancements and cultural exports while highlighting the importance of Taiwan’s eventual integration into the “One China” policy. Furthermore, Xi mentioned China’s economic growth and highlighted key multilateral conferences hosted by China in 2023.
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In a renewed effort to safeguard children, France is considering a ban on social media access for children under 15, with the draft law aiming for implementation by September of next year. The proposed legislation, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, addresses concerns about the various risks associated with excessive screen time, including exposure to inappropriate content and cyber-harassment. The draft law includes two articles, one prohibiting online platforms from providing social media services to those under 15 and the other banning mobile phone use in secondary schools. This follows Australia’s recent social media ban on under 16s.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi posted and then deleted a graph showing a decline in drug overdose deaths, attempting to give credit to the Trump administration for progress made under Joe Biden. The graph, tracking overdose deaths from 2015 to 2024, illustrated a spike before plateauing in 2022 and 2023, followed by a sharp decline during Biden’s term, which Bondi misrepresented. Social media users and politicians, like Rep. Ted Lieu, quickly pointed out the error, leading to the post’s deletion. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about potential risks to these gains due to Trump’s policies, including budget cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency and aggressive actions in other countries.
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Justice Dept. Now Said to Be Reviewing 5.2 Million Pages of Epstein Files – this announcement immediately sets off alarm bells, doesn’t it? It’s a staggering amount of documentation, especially when considering the initial narrative that these files either didn’t exist or weren’t readily accessible. The shift in story, from absence to needing time for review, feels deeply problematic.
A huge scandal is unfolding right before our eyes, and the question that begs to be asked is, “Why are they just *now* reviewing these files?” If these documents truly existed, and a law mandated their release, the delays and explanations offered simply don’t add up.… Continue reading
Finnish authorities have detained a cargo ship, the Fitburg, and its crew after a telecommunication cable connecting Finland and Estonia was damaged. The ship, flagged in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, had its anchor chain lowered in Finnish waters near the damage site. The crew, comprised of citizens from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, has been detained while investigations into aggravated criminal damage and interference with telecommunications are underway. The incident is part of a pattern of disruptions in the Baltic Sea, which has prompted security concerns and NATO initiatives to protect undersea infrastructure, with suspicions directed toward Russia.
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Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is slated to deliver the opening remarks at Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration, with Senator Bernie Sanders administering the oath of office. The inauguration will be a public block party on Broadway, unlike past ceremonies, and is meant to include all New Yorkers. Mamdani, who campaigned on a platform of affordability, also faced criticism during his campaign.
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Donald Trump’s renaming of the Kennedy Center has led to multiple artists canceling their performances, creating financial and reputational damage to the institution. The Cookers, Chuck Redd, Kristy Lee, and Doug Varone and Dancers are among those who have withdrawn, citing the political implications of Trump’s action. Ric Grenell, the center’s head, has responded with threats of lawsuits and attacks on the artists, while Senate Democrats investigate him for alleged misconduct. The Kennedy Center’s revenue has plummeted since Trump’s intervention, exacerbating the fallout from the controversy.
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A recent Wall Street Journal report revealed that Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club sent young female employees to provide massages to Jeffrey Epstein for years, despite these employees warning each other about Epstein’s inappropriate behavior, including sexual suggestions and indecent exposure. In 2003, after an 18-year-old beautician complained about being pressured for sex by Epstein, a manager informed Trump, leading to Epstein’s ban from the club. Notably, Virginia Giuffre, an alleged victim of Epstein’s, had been recruited from the Palm Beach club three years prior. The report also highlights that Trump’s second wife, Marla Maples, had also expressed concerns about Epstein’s character, and that other Mar-a-Lago employees were listed in Epstein’s address book.
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Investigative reporter Julie K. Brown, whose work led to Jeffrey Epstein’s arrest, finds the revelations from the released Epstein files “worse” than anticipated, indicating a larger scope of involvement than previously known. The files, including photos of prominent figures, are prompting numerous new leads and tips, making prioritization challenging. Brown notes the suspicious nature of the government’s handling of the investigation, questioning why some information has been withheld and calling for further investigation, emphasizing that it should not be a partisan issue.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker