A Republican infighting erupted over H-1B visas, pitting tech executives Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy against figures like Laura Loomer. Musk and Ramaswamy, supported by President Trump, argued for retaining the program benefiting skilled workers, while others decried it as detrimental to American workers. This disagreement highlights the internal conflict within the Republican party regarding immigration, exposing hypocrisy in the party’s rhetoric. The debate ultimately underscores a prioritization of wealthy interests over the concerns of American workers, revealing a disconnect between the party’s campaign promises and its actions.
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Following a deadly New Orleans attack, Donald Trump wrongly claimed that the perpetrator was an immigrant and that the U.S. crime rate was unprecedentedly high, assertions contradicted by readily available facts. This incident revealed Trump’s failure to provide accurate information, his attempt to exploit tragedy for political gain, and his overall lack of credibility. His subsequent boast of being “right about everything” further highlighted his disregard for truth and responsibility. This behavior portends a concerning pattern for his upcoming term.
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Ukrainian military intelligence reported that two Russian helicopters were destroyed in a recent strike using domestically produced Magura V5 naval drones, revising an earlier report of one destroyed and one damaged helicopter. This attack, employing SeeDragon missiles, builds on the drone’s successful track record of striking Russian Black Sea Fleet assets since Summer 2023. The Magura V5, with its substantial range and payload capacity, represents a significant threat to Russian air and naval forces. While independent verification is pending, Russian media acknowledged the loss of two helicopters.
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Taiwanese shipping giant Evergreen Marine Corp. awarded its employees a substantial year-end bonus averaging 20 months’ salary, plus an additional three-month bonus. This generous payout, based on an average salary of approximately NT$60,000, follows a trend of exceptionally high bonuses in previous years. The company’s record profits in 2024, boosted by global supply chain disruptions stemming from the Red Sea crisis, fueled this significant reward for its workforce. Evergreen’s continued success is projected to maintain this pattern of lucrative employee compensation.
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A Tesla Cybertruck rented via Turo exploded outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver, Matthew Livelsberger, a US army veteran, and injuring seven bystanders. The vehicle was found to contain fireworks, fuel, and gas canisters. Investigations are underway, exploring a potential link between this incident and a similar New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, also involving a Turo-rented vehicle and a former military member. The FBI is pursuing leads across multiple states and internationally.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson faces an uphill battle securing the speakership due to the narrowest Republican House majority in nearly a century—a mere 219 to 215 seats initially, shrinking further to 217 to 215 as GOP members depart for the Trump administration. This razor-thin margin leaves Johnson vulnerable to defections, requiring near-unanimous Republican support to pass legislation and potentially necessitating Democratic votes. The already precarious situation is exacerbated by Republican dissent, with at least one representative publicly opposing Johnson’s bid. President-elect Trump’s endorsement, while helpful, doesn’t guarantee Johnson’s success.
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Following a shooting in New Orleans, Donald Trump asserted his previous claims about the link between immigration and crime were accurate. This statement directly contradicts the lack of evidence connecting the perpetrator’s immigration status to the incident. Trump’s insistence on his own accuracy, despite factual inaccuracies, highlights a recurring pattern in his public pronouncements. The incident underscores the ongoing debate surrounding immigration and crime in the United States.
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Seventeen US states now mandate age verification for accessing online pornography, impacting major platforms like Pornhub. These laws, requiring state-issued ID, raise privacy concerns, prompting Aylo, the parent company of several adult websites, to withdraw service from these states. The increased demand for VPNs to circumvent these restrictions highlights the impact of the legislation. Furthermore, potential future restrictions under a Trump administration, as outlined in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 plan, could lead to even stricter measures, including potential criminalization of pornography.
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A New Year’s Eve fireworks accident in Honolulu resulted in three fatalities and over 20 injuries, some critical. The incident involved a large, illegal firework “cake” that tipped over, causing a massive explosion that sent shrapnel into the surrounding area. Authorities are investigating the incident and considering stricter penalties for illegal fireworks use, citing the severity of the injuries and the chaotic scene. A fourth fireworks-related death occurred separately on Oahu, highlighting the dangers of illegal pyrotechnics.
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Forrest Pemberton, a Gainesville, Florida resident, faces federal stalking charges for allegedly plotting an attack on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Florida. He is accused of scouting AIPAC’s offices with the intent to harm or kill employees, possessing firearms during surveillance, and making statements indicating an intention to commit violence. Law enforcement intervened, apprehending Pemberton with firearms before he could carry out the alleged attack. Pemberton’s motivation stemmed from frustration with AIPAC’s political influence, and he remains in pretrial detention.
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John Q. Hosedrinker