An Israeli military investigation determined that army actions near Rafah, though cautious, indirectly influenced Hamas’ decision to kill six Israeli hostages in August. The hostages’ bodies were discovered in an underground shaft after soldiers unknowingly approached the area. The investigation concluded the event was tragic, highlighting the brutality of Hamas’ actions. This finding further emphasizes the Hostages and Missing Families Forum’s assertion that securing the release of all hostages necessitates a negotiated deal. Pressure mounts on Prime Minister Netanyahu amidst ongoing, albeit stalled, indirect negotiations with Hamas.
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On Christmas Day, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, utilizing 78 missiles and over 100 drones. The assault targeted power plants and other energy facilities across multiple regions, causing widespread power outages and casualties. Ukraine’s air defense systems intercepted numerous missiles and drones, but significant damage was still inflicted. The attacks resulted in at least one death in Ukraine, disrupted heating for hundreds of thousands, and caused damage in Russia as well.
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Elon Musk’s assertion that X’s users constitute “the media now” is demonstrably false. The platform primarily amplifies misinformation spread by partisan influencers, not credible journalism. Musk himself, despite possessing significant newsworthy information and access, fails to utilize X responsibly, instead denying or withholding crucial details. Therefore, X functions more as a misinformation platform than a legitimate news source, undermining Musk’s claim.
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A six-year ban on cryptocurrency mining, effective January 1, 2024, has been imposed in ten Russian regions due to the industry’s substantial energy consumption. This measure, potentially expanding to other regions during peak demand, reflects Russia’s ongoing struggle to regulate cryptocurrency despite its legalization in November 2023. While cross-border crypto payments remain permitted, the ban underscores the government’s efforts to balance energy needs with the evolving cryptocurrency landscape. Future adjustments to the ban are possible depending on energy demand fluctuations.
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A Senate Democratic investigation uncovered additional unreported luxury trips taken by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 2021, including private jet and yacht travel sponsored by billionaire Harlan Crow. The 93-page report details over two dozen instances of Thomas accepting luxury travel and gifts from wealthy benefactors, totaling over $4.75 million since his confirmation, much of which went unreported until the adoption of a new ethics code. The report urges Congress to create an enforceable code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, highlighting the lack of accountability within the court and the need for greater transparency. While the investigation didn’t find evidence of undue influence, it reveals a pattern of undisclosed luxury travel among several justices, prompting calls for reform.
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A deceased individual was discovered within the wheel well of a United Airlines Boeing 787-10 following its arrival at Kahului Airport in Maui on Tuesday. The plane originated from Chicago on Christmas Eve. Access to this area is solely from outside the aircraft, making the circumstances of the person’s presence unclear. United Airlines is cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation into this incident.
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On Christmas Day, Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages and casualties across the country, including Kyiv, where residents sought shelter in metro stations. President Zelensky condemned the attack as an “inhumane” and “conscious choice” by Russia, highlighting the targeting of critical energy facilities for the 13th time this year. Despite the attacks, many Ukrainians remained resilient, celebrating Christmas as best they could amidst the ongoing conflict. The attack left cities like Kharkiv with widespread damage and hundreds of thousands without essential services.
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An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, flight J2-8243, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after experiencing a bird strike and steering malfunction. The aircraft, carrying 67 people, made an emergency landing attempt following a distress signal but crashed, resulting in 29 survivors. Flight data indicates the plane struggled to maintain altitude for over an hour before the crash, potentially impacted by GPS jamming. Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway.
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President-elect Trump strongly condemned President Biden’s commutation of sentences for 37 of 40 federal death row inmates, vowing to vigorously pursue capital punishment upon his inauguration. Trump criticized the commutations as senseless and disrespectful to victims’ families, intending to focus on cases involving violent criminals. While the extent of his actions remains unclear, his statement suggests a more assertive approach to federal death penalty cases than previous administrations. Experts note that enacting significant changes to death penalty policy faces substantial legal and practical challenges.
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John Q. Hosedrinker