In response to the influx of low-cost imports, EU finance ministers have decided to implement a €3 tax on all small parcels entering the bloc beginning July 1, 2026. This decision follows the earlier agreement to eliminate duty exemptions for packages under €150, primarily from Chinese platforms. The temporary fixed fee aims to address unfair competition faced by European retailers and will remain in effect until a permanent import tax solution is established. With a staggering 4.6 billion small packages entering the EU last year, the majority originating from China, this move is a priority, especially for countries like France.
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The legal challenge asserts that any construction on federal land, including the White House and President’s Park, requires congressional approval. Former President Trump’s actions, including the firing of all six members of the Commission on Fine Arts, appeared to pave the way for alterations to national monuments. The official reason given was the desire to appoint individuals more closely aligned with his policies, but the positions remained vacant months later. Additionally, Trump reportedly had a disagreement with his architect regarding the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which could have overshadowed the White House mansion.
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Newly released files from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate contain a photograph of Donald Trump with a group of young women, further linking the former president to the disgraced financier. The image, believed to be from 1998, shows Trump with his arms around two women, who were models representing Hawaiian Tropic. These latest document releases, initiated by Democrats, also include photos of other prominent figures, highlighting the extent of Epstein’s social circle.
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In a significant blow to Trump’s efforts, the Indiana Senate rejected the proposed congressional redistricting plan designed to favor Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. The vote, with a substantial majority of Republican senators voting against the plan, marks the first time Trump’s redistricting campaign has been defeated by members of his own party. The opposition was driven by concerns over “mid-cycle gerrymandering,” with many Republicans citing conservative principles and resistance to federal overreach as their rationale, while Democrats also opposed the plan for potentially diluting the voting power of minority communities. The defeat came after weeks of political conflict and amid escalating tensions, including threats against Republican lawmakers supporting the redistricting efforts, highlighting the deeply divisive nature of the issue.
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A new Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that a significant majority of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, believe the Trump administration is concealing information about Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged child sex crimes and his death. The survey indicates that 70% of respondents think the administration is hiding details about Epstein’s associates, and 62% believe the government is hiding information surrounding his death. The poll further indicates that only a small percentage of Americans believe Trump was unaware of Epstein’s crimes, despite his efforts to distance himself from the disgraced financier.
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According to the ICC’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, the British government threatened to defund the court and withdraw from the Rome Statute if arrest warrants were issued against Israeli officials. Khan alleged that a British official, potentially then-Foreign Secretary David Cameron, warned against the warrants. Furthermore, Khan claims to have received warnings from both US officials and Senator Lindsey Graham about the potential consequences of pursuing the warrants. Khan maintains he acted neutrally and insists his decisions were based on meticulous preparation, including input from a panel of international law experts.
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On December 12th, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy released a video address near Kupiansk, thanking soldiers fighting on that front, where Russia has repeatedly claimed complete occupation. Intense fighting has occurred in Kupiansk since summer 2025, with Russia aiming to seize the city and the nearby logistics hub. Recent reports from DeepState indicate a Ukrainian counteroffensive, pushing Russian troops out of northwestern Kupiansk and into the city center. Additionally, Ukrainian forces have liberated surrounding villages and buildings, demonstrating progress in the ongoing conflict.
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Ukrainian forces have successfully pushed Russian troops out of the northwestern part of Kupiansk, trapping approximately 200 remaining Russian soldiers in the city center. This counteroffensive, planned and commanded by the 2nd Corps “Khartia,” involved blocking and cutting off the Russian garrison from their main forces, resulting in the recapture of several villages and the targeting of Holubivka. The offensive intensified after Russia initiated an assault in the summer of 2025 with the goal of occupying the city and seizing a key logistics hub, but since then, Ukrainian forces have reportedly killed over 1,000 Russian troops. The operation in central Kupiansk is still ongoing.
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Minneapolis city officials are condemning the wrongful arrest of a U.S. citizen, Mubashir, who was apprehended by ICE agents and allegedly targeted for his Somali appearance. According to Mubashir, he was tackled and detained without proper identification, despite asserting his citizenship and offering his passport. After being held for hours, he was released and ordered to walk in the snow after being released, as Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the actions, calling it a violation of law and the Constitution. In response, local leaders are coordinating legal strategies and Governor Tim Walz has demanded a review of the operation, amid the backdrop of a recent immigration crackdown and comments made by former President Trump.
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Secretary Kristi Noem encountered significant pushback during a congressional hearing on Thursday. Democratic lawmakers aggressively called for her resignation, alleging she had lied and broken the law. These accusations stemmed from her role in assisting the Trump administration’s extensive deportation policies. The hearing highlighted a tense political climate and ongoing scrutiny of the administration’s immigration agenda.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE Detains US Citizen in Minneapolis, City Leaders Cite Racial Profiling
Minneapolis city officials are condemning the wrongful arrest of a U.S. citizen, Mubashir, who was apprehended by ICE agents and allegedly targeted for his Somali appearance. According to Mubashir, he was tackled and detained without proper identification, despite asserting his citizenship and offering his passport. After being held for hours, he was released and ordered to walk in the snow after being released, as Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the actions, calling it a violation of law and the Constitution. In response, local leaders are coordinating legal strategies and Governor Tim Walz has demanded a review of the operation, amid the backdrop of a recent immigration crackdown and comments made by former President Trump.
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