Following a deadly Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin offered an apology to Azerbaijan, stating the incident occurred in Russian airspace, but avoided taking responsibility. The UK, however, rejected this apology, demanding a full and independent investigation into the incident, citing Russia’s reckless actions as a threat to international security. Multiple sources, including the White House and US military officials, suggest Russian air defenses may have mistakenly shot down the plane. Ukraine also called for a transparent explanation and cessation of disinformation from Russia.
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Online speculation regarding the state of Donald and Melania Trump’s marriage persists, fueled by Melania’s infrequent public appearances with her husband. Donald Trump’s recent Christmas Instagram post, featuring a seven-year-old photo of the couple, further intensified these rumors, prompting social media commentary questioning the authenticity of their relationship. Melania’s minimal involvement in Trump’s 2024 campaign and reported plans for separate bedrooms in the White House have only amplified these concerns. Despite Trump’s past dismissals of such rumors, the lack of public displays of affection and Melania’s continued distance from the political spotlight maintain public intrigue.
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Zelensky accused Slovak Prime Minister Fico of acting on Putin’s orders to cut off Ukraine’s crucial winter electricity supply, framing the threat as a second energy front against Ukraine. The Ukrainian president asserted that such actions would violate EU energy market rules and damage Slovakia’s relationship with the European community. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that electricity supplies are paid for, not charity, and Fico’s threats align him with Putin. Fico’s threat followed a meeting with Putin and stems from Slovakia’s significant reliance on Russian gas despite EU efforts to diversify energy sources.
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Iran’s energy crisis, stemming from aging infrastructure, sanctions, and mismanagement, has shuttered 50% of its industrial parks due to widespread power and gas outages. A daily gas shortfall of 260 million cubic meters exacerbates the problem, impacting production and causing hundreds of billions of rials in damages. This crisis, coupled with recent unlawful price hikes, places immense pressure on employers and jeopardizes the country’s “Year of Production Leap” initiative. The government’s prioritization of residential energy consumption over industrial needs further compounds the economic strain.
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The Revolutionary Alliance of Unpopular Men, a Japanese group known for its anti-Christmas protests, cancelled its annual “Smash Christmas” demonstration due to a failure to submit the necessary paperwork. For 17 years, the group, which considers itself a support network for unpopular men, has protested on Christmas Eve against what it sees as a commercially driven, romantic holiday. This year’s cancellation comes despite plans for future protests targeting Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and White Day, reflecting the group’s broader opposition to societal norms and classism. The group’s origins stem from the founder’s personal rejection and subsequent belief that unpopularity is a class struggle.
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Tragically, two Oregon men, aged 59 and 37, perished in Washington’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest after embarking on a Sasquatch hunting expedition. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office determined hypothermia, resulting from unpreparedness for the elements, to be the cause of death. A three-day search involving over sixty volunteers and advanced technology located their bodies in a remote area of the forest. The men were reported missing on Christmas Day after failing to return from their Christmas Eve trip.
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Amidst an ongoing dispute over Russian gas transit, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accused Slovak Prime Minister Fico of initiating a second energy front against Ukraine at Russia’s behest. This accusation follows Fico’s threat to retaliate against Ukraine’s planned halt of Russian gas transit by cutting off emergency power supplies. Zelenskyy argues Fico’s actions disregard Slovakia’s role in the EU energy market and harm Ukrainian citizens during ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Slovakia, however, maintains that maintaining Russian gas transit through Ukraine is crucial for its economy, despite reduced reliance on Russian gas across the EU.
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Amidst a Republican Party feud over H-1B visas, Elon Musk called for the removal of “hateful, unrepentant racists” from the party. This intensified conflict involves Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy supporting immigrant workers in tech, while others like Laura Loomer oppose H-1B visas. Musk’s statement followed a post by Neera Tanden highlighting the Republican Party’s apparent rejection of Indian Americans. The dispute exposes deep divisions within the GOP, with Musk’s actions contrasting with his past support of figures promoting anti-immigrant and racist views.
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Amidst a PA counter-terror operation in the West Bank, particularly Jenin, Hamas has accused the PA of employing brutal tactics against the Palestinian public, including coercion and intimidation. The terror group called for widespread mobilization to oppose what it deemed “unprecedented aggression,” urging Palestinians to resist the PA’s actions to prevent societal fracturing. This escalation follows recent clashes resulting in casualties on both sides, further straining relations between Hamas and the Fatah-led PA, despite a previous unity government agreement. Joint statements with other Palestinian terror groups demand the PA halt its security campaign in Jenin.
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John Q. Hosedrinker