According to information released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Claudio Neves Valente, the shooter in the Brown University and MIT professor killings, planned the attacks for years. In videos recovered by the FBI, Valente confessed to the murders, which included two Brown University students and MIT Professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro, but provided no specific motive. The recordings revealed that Valente had no intention of apologizing for his actions and explicitly addressed misinformation surrounding the attacks. Furthermore, Valente acknowledged being confronted by a witness and detailed his lack of a strong emotional connection to the United States or Portugal.
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The United States seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic and another sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, in the Caribbean Sea, citing violations of U.S. sanctions related to Venezuela. The Marinera, formerly known as the Bella 1, had been tracked for weeks after attempting to evade a U.S. blockade and change its flag to Russia. Russia has condemned the seizures as violations of maritime law, while U.S. officials state the actions were part of efforts to stabilize Venezuela. The operation also involved the UK and follows rising tensions between Washington and Moscow.
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U.S. employers posted significantly fewer job openings in November, totaling 7.1 million, which is the lowest number since September 2024. Despite the drop in openings, layoffs also decreased, indicating companies are retaining their employees. These figures suggest a “low-hire, low-fire” job market even as economic growth remains solid, which raises the question of whether hiring will catch up. Key data from the job openings and labor turnover survey indicates a slower labor market with job gains expected to pick up.
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Russia sends a submarine to escort a tanker the US tried to seize off Venezuela, the *Wall Street Journal* reports, and it’s hard not to feel like we’ve stumbled into a very strange, very high-stakes game of geopolitical chess. The whole situation is just… surreal.
It’s completely wild to think about the kind of leaders at the helm in the 21st century, isn’t it? The power dynamics at play, the posturing, the potential consequences – it’s all so incredibly serious, yet there’s a certain absurdity to it. There’s a tanker, which clearly contains something of significant value, and the US apparently wanted to get its hands on it.… Continue reading
European allies working on a plan should the US move on Greenland is becoming a chillingly realistic scenario, prompting a flurry of discussion and, hopefully, concrete action. The very idea of the United States considering a military move against a fellow NATO member, even if it’s Greenland (under Danish sovereignty), is a sign of a world order teetering on the edge. The gravity of such a potential act is driving European nations to seriously consider how they would respond.
One of the first concerns that pops into mind is the potential impact on US military bases across Europe. If the US were to take military action against Greenland, it seems perfectly reasonable to assume that some European nations would be forced to reconsider the presence of US military bases within their borders.… Continue reading
The US continues to refer to the oil tanker Marinera as the Bella 1 due to questions surrounding its flag status. The vessel, formerly the Bella 1, was falsely flagged under Guyana before obtaining temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag. Experts suggest the mid-voyage flag change implies a lack of due diligence, potentially rendering the vessel effectively stateless under international maritime law. The US boarding of the vessel, despite its claimed change of registry, indicates it views the flag change as illegitimate.
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A woman died Wednesday morning after being shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE agents were allegedly blocked by “rioters” and an officer opened fire after the group allegedly attempted to run them over. The shooting resulted in a large gathering of protesters and law enforcement at the scene. City officials, including the Mayor and Senator, have demanded the ICE agents leave the city immediately, with the Hennepin County Attorney pushing for a local investigation.
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Michael Reagan, son of former President Ronald Reagan, has died, family says. It’s a statement that, understandably, elicits a wide range of reactions. Some of us might immediately recall him from television, perhaps as the host of the game show “Lingo” in the 80s and 90s. That was a long time ago.
Then there’s the realization of his lineage. Suddenly, he’s not just a game show host, but the adopted son of Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman, a fact that certainly placed him within a specific context of American political and social history. The Reagan family, with all its successes and controversies, has long been a subject of intense public scrutiny and debate.… Continue reading
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Venezuela to export $2 billion worth of oil to US in a deal with Washington, and immediately, the first thing that jumps to mind is, $2 billion? In the grand scheme of things, in the context of the U.S. budget and even in the context of the enormous resources at stake, it feels… insignificant. It’s like a rounding error. The cost of all the machinations, the political maneuvering, and likely the military operations, seems far, far greater. We’re talking about a lot more than a simple transaction.
Venezuela to export $2 billion worth of oil to US is essentially the story here, and it’s mostly about what one person said, and who that person is – former U.S.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
* **Federal Agent Shoots Woman in Minneapolis, Witness Claims Murder**
A woman died Wednesday morning after being shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE agents were allegedly blocked by “rioters” and an officer opened fire after the group allegedly attempted to run them over. The shooting resulted in a large gathering of protesters and law enforcement at the scene. City officials, including the Mayor and Senator, have demanded the ICE agents leave the city immediately, with the Hennepin County Attorney pushing for a local investigation.
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