January 2026

GOP Lawmakers Exit as Congress Suffers Dysfunction They Enabled

GOP lawmakers, frustrated with dysfunctional Congress, head for the exits. This is the story, or at least the narrative being presented. But let’s be honest, the situation is a bit more complex, isn’t it? It’s almost as if the very people who contributed to this dysfunction are now feigning surprise and, well, heading for the door. It’s a curious spectacle, this mass exodus.

The writing appears to be on the wall, and the reality of potential legal troubles related to certain actions taken while in office could be a factor. The fact that the GOP seems unwilling to rein in certain behaviors, despite having the power to do so, raises questions.… Continue reading

Maduro Offers US Talks on Drug Trafficking Amidst Oil and Political Tensions

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced his openness to talks with the US regarding drug trafficking and oil, amidst escalating pressure from the Trump administration. The US has been conducting operations against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in numerous strikes and casualties. Maduro evaded confirmation of a US strike inside Venezuela, but he expressed readiness for dialogue on various issues. These actions are viewed by Maduro as a means for the US to remove him from power and gain access to the country’s oil reserves.

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Trump and January 6th: A Turning Point for America

Trump Is the Jan. 6 President

It’s a stark truth, and one that resonates deeply: January 6th wasn’t just a blip, a side story. It was a pivotal moment, a national breaking point that exposed the deep fissures in our democracy. And when we look at the whole picture – his actions leading up to it, the day itself, and the continued reactions of his supporters – the title “Trump is the Jan. 6 President” isn’t just an edgy tweet, it’s a political reality. It reflects his legacy.

January 6th stands as one of the darkest days in recent American history, particularly in the last half-century.… Continue reading

Russia Bombs Ukrainian Ecopark: War Crime Condemnation and Civilian Targeting Concerns

On January 1, Russian forces attacked Feldman Ecopark near Kharkiv with a glide bomb, injuring a volunteer and causing significant damage. The attack destroyed winter houses for predators and birds, with founder Oleksandr Feldman reporting injuries to lions and the likely death of most birds. Additionally, the Russians attacked the Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv and seven settlements in the region, injuring an 84-year-old woman and damaging multiple civilian structures. These attacks, including the use of glide bombs and drones, are part of the ongoing conflict and impact the city of Kharkiv.

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Finland Cable Breach: Calls for Stronger Action, Doubts on Current Response

Finland makes progress in cable breach investigation, police say, and it’s a situation that’s got a lot of people understandably worked up. From what’s being discussed, there’s a strong feeling that Russia is behind these breaches, and the sentiment is that more assertive action is needed. It’s not a secret anymore, according to the whispers, it’s pretty much a given. People are frustrated, and it’s easy to see why. These incidents are a direct attack on critical infrastructure, and they’re happening repeatedly. The sense of urgency is palpable.

Given the gravity of the situation, the questions being asked are spot on.… Continue reading

Mali, Burkina Faso Ban US Citizens: Travel Ban Reaction Mixed

In response to the United States’ recent imposition of full entry restrictions, Mali and Burkina Faso announced reciprocal travel bans on U.S. citizens. Both West African nations cited the principle of reciprocity and a desire for mutual respect as justification for their actions. This decision followed a similar reported move by Niger, and all three countries are governed by military juntas that have strained relations with Western powers. The U.S. travel ban, which includes other nations, aims to protect U.S. security and will remain in effect until the affected countries demonstrate improvements in immigration procedures.

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Trump’s Cognitive Tests Spark Concerns Over Health

Trump’s insistence that he “aced” his third cognitive exam is raising eyebrows, and for good reason. It’s not every day that someone, especially someone claiming to be in “perfect” health, boasts about taking multiple cognitive tests within a relatively short timeframe. The very fact that he’s taken these tests, let alone three of them, suggests that something’s being monitored, and it’s certainly not a routine check-up for a perfectly healthy individual.

The consensus seems to be that repeated cognitive exams aren’t a sign of robust mental well-being. Quite the opposite, actually. The primary purpose of such tests is to track potential cognitive decline.… Continue reading

Saturn-Sized Rogue Planet Detected 10,000 Light-Years Away

Scientists have confirmed the existence of a rogue planet, a starless world, for the first time by determining its distance and mass. Using gravitational microlensing, the astronomers observed an object distorting light from a distant star, approximately 9,950 light-years from Earth, with a mass about 70 times that of Earth. This discovery, made possible by observations from multiple observatories and the Gaia space telescope, suggests that these free-floating planets are likely abundant in the Milky Way, even more numerous than the stars themselves. The newfound data will assist in understanding planet formation and how some planets become rogue, while upcoming telescopes promise to find even more of these wandering worlds.

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ADL’s Priorities: Israel Over Antisemitism, Mamdani Over Real Threats

This piece examines the apparent paradox of the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) focus on New York City’s first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, while largely ignoring or even defending prominent Republicans accused of antisemitism and Christian nationalism. The article contends that the ADL’s actions seem less about combating antisemitism and more about preserving the current power dynamics in Israel. The author argues that labeling calls for Palestinian equality as antisemitic is a misrepresentation of the issue. This is because such a demand could disrupt the existing Jewish majority, potentially leading to a binational democracy that challenges the established status quo.

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Tennessee Launches Domestic Violence Offender Registry: Nation’s First

Tennessee launches nation’s first domestic violence offender registry.

It’s actually quite surprising, isn’t it? Tennessee, of all places, stepping up to be the first state in the nation to launch a domestic violence offender registry. It’s a significant development, especially considering the political landscape of the state. Named after a fallen police officer, Savanna’s Law, it’s a tangible step forward.

The core of this law is quite straightforward. It creates a public database, managed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, that lists individuals with multiple domestic violence convictions. Essentially, if you’ve been convicted, or pleaded guilty or no contest, of more than one domestic violence offense, you’ll be on the registry.… Continue reading