Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant, pleaded guilty to lying about a fabricated bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Smirnov’s false claims, motivated by bias against President Biden, fueled a congressional impeachment inquiry. His allegations, ultimately deemed fabrications by the FBI, involved purported $5 million bribes from Burisma Holdings. Smirnov also admitted to tax evasion, having failed to report over $2 million in income, and faces a potential sentence of four to six years in prison.
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This article examines President-elect Trump’s consideration of privatizing the United States Postal Service (USPS), a move deemed impractical and potentially harmful. The USPS’s universal service mandate ensures nationwide mail delivery, a service no private company would profitably undertake, especially in rural areas. Privatization would jeopardize hundreds of thousands of unionized jobs, many of which have historically provided upward mobility for minority communities, and negatively impact numerous businesses reliant on affordable, widespread mail service. This action contradicts Trump’s populist rhetoric concerning job preservation and support for working-class Americans.
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During a Monday visit to the Italian Foreign Ministry, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi declared the Iran nuclear deal obsolete. He stated that Iran’s uranium enrichment, reaching near military-grade levels (60% and almost 90%), signifies a rapidly advancing nuclear capability. Grossi suggested that while the original deal’s underlying principles remain valuable, its current form is inadequate. This rapid enrichment puts Iran on the cusp of becoming a nuclear state.
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Parastoo Ahmadi, a 27-year-old Iranian singer, was arrested for a hijab-less virtual concert live-streamed on YouTube, a platform banned in Iran. Following widespread outrage, she was released after authorities, reportedly concerned about potential protests, bowed to pressure for her release. Ahmadi’s performance, featuring songs with protest lyrics, quickly went viral, becoming a symbol of defiance against the Iranian regime’s strict dress code and suppression of women’s rights. Her arrest and subsequent release highlight the ongoing tension between the Iranian government and its citizens amidst regional instability.
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Turkey’s significant military buildup near Kobani, mirroring its 2019 Syrian invasion, has prompted US alarm over an imminent large-scale incursion targeting US-backed Kurdish forces. This potential offensive, involving Turkish commandos and allied militias, risks exacerbating regional instability and jeopardizing the fight against ISIS remnants. A Kurdish official’s plea to President-elect Trump to intervene highlights the potential for catastrophic displacement and underscores the collapse of recent US-mediated ceasefire negotiations. Despite Secretary Blinken’s attempts at de-escalation, Turkey remains uncommitted to limiting operations against Kurdish forces.
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President Biden has finally endorsed a ban on congressional stock trading, stating that lawmakers shouldn’t profit from the market during their terms. This long-awaited statement, made in an interview with Sen. Bernie Sanders’ advisor, comes just a month before the end of Biden’s presidency. While a bipartisan bill to ban such trading already exists, it lacks a vote. Biden’s endorsement adds significant weight to the debate fueled by concerns about insider trading and conflicts of interest.
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Recent shootings, one targeting a corporate CEO and the other a Wisconsin school, starkly illustrate America’s disparate responses to gun violence. While the CEO’s death prompted immediate and substantial security upgrades for corporate executives, the school shooting elicited the typical, insufficient response of condolences and prayers. This disparity highlights the unequal prioritization of safety, with resources heavily favoring the protection of the wealthy and powerful over students and teachers. The lack of significant gun control legislation further underscores the challenges in addressing this pervasive issue.
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Representative Victoria Spartz’s refusal to participate in the Republican caucus, coupled with several other GOP representatives accepting positions in Donald Trump’s cabinet, threatens the party’s already tenuous House majority. This slim 220-seat advantage is jeopardized by potential absences during crucial votes, leaving the Republicans vulnerable to legislative gridlock. The situation is further complicated by disagreements within the GOP regarding the annual appropriations bills, with Senate Republicans urging swift action to avoid a government shutdown. Failure to pass legislation could severely hamper Trump’s agenda and potentially lead to a loss of control in the House.
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In three days of fighting in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces reported eliminating 50 North Korean soldiers and wounding 47 more, supported by FPV drone footage. This follows earlier reports of North Korean troop deployments to the region by Russia, with Ukrainian sources claiming significant casualties during ground assaults. While the full extent of losses remains unclear due to reported Russian obfuscation, the Pentagon independently confirmed North Korean combat participation and casualties. These actions by the 8th Special Forces Regiment targeted not only personnel but also several pieces of military equipment.
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Following Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from the Canadian cabinet, Donald Trump publicly criticized her, referencing their past contentious trade negotiations during his presidency. Freeland’s tenure as a key negotiator with the U.S. involved both praise from American liberals and considerable friction with Trump’s administration, culminating in a finalized USMCA deal despite significant challenges. Her resignation, however, appears partly motivated by disagreements over fiscal policy and a perceived demotion from her role managing Canada-U.S. relations. Trump’s social media post highlights the enduring impact of their past interactions on current Canadian politics.
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John Q. Hosedrinker