On December 30th, Lauda Air flight FR748, an Airbus A320 en route from Riga to Vienna, experienced two aborted landings due to GPS jamming. The aircraft diverted to Brno, Czech Republic, due to the interference coupled with low visibility in Vienna. The captain attributed the incident to GPS jamming, stating that landing in Brno was safer given the weather conditions. Ryanair confirmed the technical issue and apologized for the diversion, arranging coach transport for passengers to Vienna. Increased GPS jamming incidents, particularly in the Baltics since 2022, have raised concerns.
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The U.S. Surgeon General has issued an advisory recommending a cancer risk warning be added to alcohol beverage labels, citing alcohol as the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., responsible for approximately 100,000 annual cancer cases. This recommendation stems from conclusive evidence linking alcohol consumption to cancer, a risk largely unknown to the public despite decades of research. The advisory also calls for reevaluating recommended alcohol limits, improving public education, and enhancing label visibility to increase awareness of alcohol’s carcinogenic effects. Excessive alcohol use increases the risk of several cancers, including breast, colorectal, liver, stomach, and certain head and neck cancers.
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A Moscow court ordered Yandex to remove or alter images of the Ryazan Oil Refinery from its maps and photo services within one month. This action, prompted by a supervisory authority citing national security concerns, follows multiple Ukrainian drone attacks on the refinery in 2024. The court determined that publicly accessible imagery compromised Russia’s defense capabilities and fuel supply to the military. Yandex was fined, and the ruling reflects broader concerns about the vulnerability of Russia’s energy infrastructure to Ukrainian attacks.
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Johnson says House Republicans will investigate the January 6th committee, and this announcement has sparked a firestorm of reactions. The stated intention is to delve into the committee’s work, promising a fully funded investigation continuing into the next Congress. This immediately raises questions about the cost to taxpayers, especially given the widespread perception that the investigation is a political maneuver rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.
Many are questioning the need for another investigation, arguing that the events of January 6th were widely documented and witnessed, and the committee’s findings are already largely known. The sheer volume of evidence already available – including televised footage, witness testimonies, and legal proceedings – seems to render a new investigation redundant.… Continue reading
The Judicial Conference rejected requests to refer Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Justice Department for ethics investigations. This decision, outlined in letters to Senator Whitehouse and Representative Johnson, cited both justices’ amended financial disclosures and legal uncertainty regarding the Conference’s authority over Supreme Court justices. The Conference Secretary argued that Congressional authorization would be necessary for such referrals. Despite these actions, critics contend the Judicial Conference failed to adequately address whether Justice Thomas willfully violated disclosure laws.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in an interview with Tasnim News, stated Iran’s willingness to engage in nuclear negotiations, but only if approached respectfully. He warned that a repetition of the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy would be met with equally strong resistance, emphasizing that Iran’s military capabilities were instrumental in securing past negotiations. Araghchi highlighted that the previous “maximum pressure” campaign ultimately failed, and any renewed attempt would likely meet the same fate. Tehran, he reiterated, remains open to dialogue, but only under conditions it deems fair.
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Tahlequah (J35), a Southern Resident killer whale known for carrying her deceased calf for 17 days in 2018, has tragically lost another calf. Researchers have confirmed the calf’s death and observed Tahlequah carrying its body, mirroring her previous behavior. This event is particularly devastating due to the endangered status of the Southern Resident orca population and the fact that the calf was female. Concerns exist regarding Tahlequah’s well-being and energy expenditure from carrying the body, although she remains integrated within her pod.
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The election of Donald Trump portends a worsening climate crisis, exacerbating existing challenges. Already, unacknowledged climate risks are causing a massive undervaluation of American properties, reaching trillions of dollars in losses and creating an uninsurable housing market in many areas. This will trigger mass displacement and economic hardship, particularly impacting vulnerable communities. A Trump administration, however, views this not as a problem, but as an exploitable opportunity for predatory industries and political profiteering, jeopardizing any effective climate response.
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Russia’s halting of gas supplies to Transnistria, a Moldovan breakaway region, has immediately shut down all industries except food production. This action follows Ukraine’s refusal to renew a gas transit deal with Russia, leaving Transnistria, despite its ties to Moscow, critically short on energy. The region’s leader reported limited gas reserves and has switched the main power plant to coal. Moldova offered to help Transnistria procure gas from Europe, but at market prices, unlike the previous subsidized Russian supply. The situation underscores Europe’s reduced reliance on Russian energy and increased diversification of its sources.
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The House Ethics Committee closed investigations into four representatives—three Republicans and one Democrat—for alleged campaign finance violations. While acknowledging evidence of non-compliance with personal use of campaign funds, the committee found insufficient proof of intentional misuse. The committee cited ambiguous FEC rules and issued updated guidance, prompting criticism that it effectively legalized personal use of campaign funds and disregarded evidence of wrongdoing. This decision, described as a “New Year’s Eve Ethics Massacre,” has been condemned by ethics experts as a failure to hold members of Congress accountable. The committee’s actions have raised concerns about the independence and effectiveness of the congressional ethics process.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood