China holds low-key Nanjing Massacre memorial despite Japan tensions, which is a significant event that deserves continued remembrance, regardless of the complexities of current diplomatic relations. It’s a reminder of a horrific event, akin to the Holocaust or the atomic bombings, and its importance extends to all of humanity. The low-key nature of this year’s commemoration doesn’t diminish its impact. The atrocities committed during the Nanjing Massacre, alongside the horrific experiments conducted by Japan’s Unit 731 using live Chinese people for bio/chemical weapons testing, represent some of the most egregious war crimes of World War II. These acts demand to be discussed and remembered, just as we remember the Holocaust.… Continue reading
The Swiss government has decided to reduce its purchase of F-35 fighter jets from the originally planned 36 due to cost overruns announced by the U.S. The budget is capped at CHF6 billion, and the government cannot secure additional funding. The defense ministry will present its prioritized requirements by the end of January, after which a decision on potentially purchasing more jets to reach the original quantity will be made, possibly requiring parliamentary and popular approval. The government also aims to strengthen air defense in the medium term, with plans to have 55 to 70 modern fighter aircraft.
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Ukrainian civilians have filed lawsuits in Texas against US chip firms, including Texas Instruments, AMD, and Intel, alleging negligence in tracking chips that ended up in Russian and Iranian weapon systems. These chips, which allegedly powered weapons used in attacks that caused wrongful deaths, were diverted through “high-risk” distribution channels despite warnings and shareholder pressure. The plaintiffs claim that the companies prioritized profits over human lives by relying on insufficient measures, such as a simple checkbox, to prevent shipments to sanctioned countries. The lawsuits detail specific attacks, including one on a Kyiv children’s hospital, and assert that the chips, essential for weapon systems, enabled Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
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JonBenet Ramsey murder: Police still collecting, testing evidence… it’s almost hard to wrap your head around, isn’t it? The details of this case, the questions, the theories… they just keep swirling around in your mind. It’s been decades, and yet, here we are, still talking about it. The fact that the police are *still* collecting and testing evidence is a testament to the enduring mystery and the persistent pursuit of justice, or perhaps a lingering need to satisfy the public’s thirst for closure. It also reflects the complexity of the investigation itself and the potential for new scientific advancements to shed light on old clues.… Continue reading
President Putin’s decree, issued in November, mandates that certain foreign men seeking permanent residency or citizenship in Russia must now sign a military contract. This requirement, largely unpublicized by Russian media, forces migrants to choose between conscription and leaving the country. The decree applies to men seeking residency or citizenship based on long-term residency or family circumstances, with exemptions for some categories. Experts suggest the decree aims to boost military manpower and discourage long-term migration, utilizing individuals with limited ability to defend their rights as a labor force.
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Over 300,000 Missourians submitted a petition demanding a referendum on newly drawn congressional districts, challenging the Republican-led state legislature’s redistricting efforts. The People Not Politicians coalition, comprised of labor unions, faith organizations, and volunteers, delivered the signatures to the secretary of state’s office, aiming to halt the Republican gerrymandering of electoral maps, particularly in the Kansas City area. The Republican Party, however, has initiated a counter-campaign attempting to discredit and invalidate the petition signatures, while the Secretary of State, Denny Hoskins, faces the decision of whether to certify the signatures and allow the referendum to proceed. Despite these efforts, Missourians are determined to fight for fair maps and ensure their voices are heard through various means, including protests and at the ballot box.
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The Trump administration is arguing against providing real-time American Sign Language interpretation at White House events, claiming it would impede the President’s ability to control his public image. The Department of Justice, in response to a lawsuit from the National Association for the Deaf, stated that providing these services would be an intrusion. This stance aligns with the administration’s broader efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as reflected in various executive orders and departmental directives. While the White House provides alternative accessibility methods, such as transcripts and closed captioning, the administration is appealing a ruling requiring ASL interpretation, although some services have been provided.
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Russia attacks two Ukrainian ports, damaging three Turkish-owned vessels, and it seems like the situation is getting even more complicated than it already was. You know, you can’t help but feel a certain sense of inevitability about these kinds of events, almost as if they were pre-ordained. The fact that the strikes happened after a phone call between Putin and Erdoğan just a few hours earlier definitely raises eyebrows. It feels like a calculated move, a statement being made, but the exact message is still a little fuzzy, isn’t it?
Turkey’s reaction, or perhaps lack thereof, is something that’s drawing a lot of speculation.… Continue reading
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently claimed that China stopped buying American soybeans during the Biden administration due to a lack of respect, but this was quickly debunked by evidence showing robust purchases during that time. This statement highlights Leavitt’s willingness to distort facts in service of the president’s political agenda, a pattern evident in other recent statements. Specifically, Leavitt inaccurately asserted the economy was improving despite clear indicators of rising costs, a contracting manufacturing sector, and poor job growth. When confronted with these realities, Leavitt deflected criticism by accusing reporters of pushing “untrue narratives” instead of addressing the facts.
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A Southern California woman was stabbed multiple times while changing her baby’s diaper in a Macy’s bathroom in New York City. The alleged attacker, Kerri Aherne, reportedly claimed to have been hearing voices instructing her to kill and had recently been discharged from a psychiatric hospital. Aherne is facing multiple charges including attempted murder, after allegedly purchasing a knife from the store and stabbing the victim from behind. The victim, who is an employee of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, was treated at a local hospital and released.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker