The White House’s new national security strategy, based on the “America First” maxim, aims to assert U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, reviving the Monroe Doctrine, while cultivating internal resistance within Europe, criticizing its policies. The strategy expresses concerns about migration, free speech, and national identity in Europe. Simultaneously, it advocates for reestablishing “strategic stability” with Russia and accepting Middle Eastern leaders “as they are” while also pursuing more investment within the region. Democratic lawmakers and European officials have criticized the strategy as an abandonment of allies, a departure from values, and a threat to existing global alliances.
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A devastating drone strike in Kalogi, South Kordofan, Sudan, reportedly targeted a kindergarten, resulting in the deaths of at least 50 individuals, including 33 children. Accusations for the Thursday attack were levied against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) by a medical organization and the army, though the RSF has not commented. In response, the RSF accused the army of a subsequent drone attack in Darfur. This tragic incident underscores the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which began in April 2023 between the RSF and the army.
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In a recent ruling, a federal judge has temporarily barred prosecutors from accessing materials from Daniel Richman, a key associate of former FBI Director James Comey. Richman, who served as Comey’s attorney and is a Columbia University law professor, sued the government over their access to his computer data, arguing it was obtained unlawfully. Prosecutors sought access to these materials to support their case against Comey, who is accused of lying to Congress. This legal development adds to the challenges faced by the prosecution, particularly given previous setbacks and procedural issues in the case against Comey.
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In Boston, on December 4th, immigrants approved for naturalization were unexpectedly pulled from line at the oath ceremony by USCIS officials. This action was taken due to the immigrants’ countries of origin, stemming from the Trump administration’s designation of 19 high-risk countries. Two days prior, USCIS had instructed employees to halt all immigration applications from these specific nations, impacting both green card and citizenship applicants. These actions have been met with criticism, with many immigrants expressing feelings of devastation and fear.
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Recent reports from the California Department of Public Health caution against wild mushroom foraging due to a surge in poisonings. The California Poison Control System has documented 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning, primarily in northern California, linked to the highly toxic death cap mushroom. Several individuals, including children, experienced severe liver damage, and at least one person may require a transplant as a result. The death cap mushroom poses a significant risk as it can be easily confused with edible varieties due to its similar characteristics.
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According to outgoing GOP House member Marjorie Taylor Greene, many Republican colleagues privately mocked Donald Trump before the 2024 primary but quickly shifted their support after he secured the nomination. Greene recounted how these same individuals, who once ridiculed Trump and her support for him, began outwardly embracing his “Make America Great Again” platform. She attributes this shift to fear of public criticism from Trump. Greene also detailed receiving threats, initially from the left, but later from the right after disagreeing with Trump’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
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Representative Ilhan Omar compared Stephen Miller’s dehumanizing language targeting immigrants to Nazi rhetoric used against Jewish people. Miller, known for his role in shaping the Trump administration’s immigration policies, made statements echoing the “great replacement theory” on social media. Omar, a Somali American, highlighted the historical context, referencing instances where the U.S. previously rejected immigrants. Her comments come as federal immigration authorities are conducting operations in Minnesota, targeting the state’s Somali community.
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The Kremlin has responded favorably to a new U.S. strategy document that adopts softer language toward Russia, viewing it as a “positive step,” according to spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The document, which blames the EU for obstructing peace efforts in Ukraine, emphasizes the need for the U.S. to stabilize relations with Russia to stabilize European economies. It also calls for the restoration of “Western identity” and celebrates “patriotic European parties,” while expressing skepticism about the strength and reliability of European economies and militaries. Moscow will continue analyzing the document before formulating firmer conclusions.
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President Trump launched a scathing attack on CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, labeling her “stupid” and “nasty” in a Truth Social post. In response, Collins corrected Trump’s recollection of their interaction, pointing out that her question concerned Venezuela, not the cost of a ballroom, as Trump claimed. This correction highlighted a discrepancy in Trump’s memory, especially considering the timing of the interview, which occurred shortly after Trump’s nomination for a FIFA “peace prize” and amid criticism of his actions. This incident is further compounded by Trump’s recent history of similar verbal assaults towards female journalists.
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As flu season approaches, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his vaccine review panel are poised to significantly alter the American vaccine landscape. Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer with a history of promoting vaccine misinformation, has been questioning the safety and effectiveness of established vaccines, including those for newborns. His panel recently scrutinized the hepatitis B vaccine for infants, advocating for alternative treatments for diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella. These actions, driven by vaccine skepticism, threaten to undermine the efficacy of proven medical science and potentially impact public health.
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John Q. Hosedrinker