The Sugar Bowl, scheduled for Wednesday night in New Orleans, has been postponed to Thursday due to a terrorist attack. A man intentionally drove a truck into a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and over 30 injuries. The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, is deceased. The postponement was deemed necessary for public safety.
President-elect Trump denied changing his stance on the H-1B visa program, asserting he’s always favored attracting highly skilled workers to the U.S. His recent comments align with statements made to the New York Post and echo the views of supporters like Elon Musk. This position contrasts with previous criticisms of the program and may alienate some within his base who prioritize American workers. Trump’s evolving stance on the H-1B visa program reflects a potential balancing act between his populist rhetoric and appealing to business interests.
A body has been recovered in the ongoing search for two missing brothers in Northern California. The discovery, while bringing a degree of closure to the grieving family, underscores the inherent dangers of kayaking, especially without proper safety precautions. The retrieval of the first body, although achieved relatively quickly after the initial 911 call, highlights the difficulties presented by the search environment. The fact that it took several days for recovery speaks to the challenging conditions and the extensive efforts involved.
The location of the accident, described as a challenging stretch of water, is characterized by its depth variations, ranging from shallow to surprisingly deep sections.… Continue reading
In a New Year’s Eve attack, Russia launched 111 drones targeting Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted most, but one civilian was killed and damage inflicted. President Zelensky expressed condolences and gratitude to the military and emergency services for their tireless efforts. The successful defense involved the downing of 63 drones and the disruption of 46 decoys.
In response to election interference attempts, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Iranian and Russian entities. These entities, linked to the IRGC and GRU respectively, allegedly sought to influence the 2024 election through disinformation campaigns and the creation of deepfakes targeting the U.S. electorate. Both Iran and Russia denied the allegations. The sanctions highlight the U.S.’s commitment to safeguarding its democratic processes from foreign interference.
Donald Trump’s appointments created a 6-3 conservative Supreme Court supermajority, resulting in a string of far-right decisions impacting abortion, environmental protection, voting rights, and more. These rulings have significantly curtailed federal power and expanded state authority, often favoring business interests and limiting government regulation. Chief Justice Roberts, despite claiming judicial impartiality, criticized public criticism of the court’s actions, echoing Trump’s calls for silencing dissent. This follows a pattern of the court’s decisions aligning with a conservative political agenda, fueled by right-wing financial support.
Elon Musk, via his X account, launched a personal attack against German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, calling him an “anti-democratic tyrant,” a comment seemingly spurred by Steinmeier’s criticism of foreign interference in upcoming elections. This latest insult follows previous attacks on Chancellor Olaf Scholz and promotion of the AfD party, including planned online discussions with AfD leader Alice Weidel. Musk’s actions are causing significant controversy in German politics as the country approaches elections. The German government has declined to comment on Musk’s remarks.
Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen, is the suspected perpetrator of a vehicle ramming attack in New Orleans that resulted in ten fatalities and at least 35 injuries. Jabbar, who is deceased, allegedly drove a pickup truck with a black flag attached into a crowd of New Year’s revelers. Authorities are investigating potential links between the flag and ISIS, as well as two possible improvised explosive devices found nearby. The investigation also includes exploring whether Jabbar used a long gun in addition to the vehicle.
In December 2023, Virginia resident Brad Spafford was arrested for possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle, leading to the discovery of over 150 homemade explosive devices—the largest such cache in FBI history—at his home. These devices, including pipe bombs, some labeled “lethal” and preloaded into a vest, were found in a garage and unsecured bedroom, along with unstable explosive material stored near food. The investigation stemmed from a neighbor’s report regarding Spafford’s weapon stockpiling and concerning political statements, including expressing support for political assassinations. Prosecutors argue Spafford poses an extreme danger, while his attorneys contend he is a non-violent family man.
In 2024, Ukraine facilitated 11 prisoner exchanges, resulting in the release of 1,358 Ukrainian prisoners of war, exceeding 2023’s total by 356 individuals. This brings the total number of released POWs since the full-scale invasion to 3,956. A significant exchange on December 30th alone freed 189 captives, including defenders from various key battle locations. President Zelensky confirmed these figures, emphasizing the personal significance of each return.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood