A Delaware judge upheld her previous ruling invalidating Elon Musk’s $56 billion Tesla compensation package, the largest in US history for a public company executive. The judge rejected Tesla’s argument that a subsequent shareholder vote ratified the plan, citing the potential for endless litigation if such actions were allowed. A $345 million attorney fee award was approved for the plaintiffs’ lawyers. Musk may appeal, but despite this setback, his net worth has recently increased significantly due to a surge in Tesla’s stock price following Donald Trump’s election.
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During a joint briefing with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, President Zelenskyy bluntly rejected the notion of concessions from Ukraine, stating that Russia should withdraw its forces. He emphasized that Ukraine’s focus remains on strengthening its defenses and ultimately ending the war, ideally by 2025. Discussions with Scholz centered on bolstering Ukraine’s frontline capabilities, Ukraine’s EU future, and NATO membership. Prior to the briefing, Zelenskyy and Scholz viewed advanced drone technology and visited wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
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Sarah Boone was sentenced to life imprisonment for the second-degree murder of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr. Boone was convicted of zipping Torres inside a suitcase, where he suffocated after hours of pleading to be released while Boone taunted him. The sentencing followed emotional victim impact statements from Torres’ family, who described devastating loss and ongoing trauma. Boone’s defense argued battered spouse syndrome, claiming abuse at Torres’ hands; however, this claim did not sway the jury or the judge. A motion for a new trial was denied prior to sentencing.
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A Wisconsin judge’s ruling has reinstated collective bargaining rights for public sector workers, effectively overturning key provisions of Act 10, a 2011 law that severely restricted these rights. The decision restores bargaining power to pre-2011 levels for all public employees, eliminating a disparity that favored public safety unions. Republicans have pledged an immediate appeal, highlighting the critical upcoming state Supreme Court election which will determine the court’s ideological balance. This legal victory comes after years of challenges and follows the court’s shift to a liberal majority.
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Dinesh D’Souza’s film, *2,000 Mules*, alleging widespread election fraud in 2020, has been retracted following a defamation lawsuit. D’Souza admitted the film relied on inaccurate information provided by True The Vote, specifically regarding geolocation data linked to surveillance footage. A settlement with plaintiff Mark Andrews, wrongly accused of ballot harvesting, resulted in apologies from D’Souza and the film’s distributor, Salem Media Group. Despite acknowledging flawed data, D’Souza maintains his belief that the 2020 election was not secure.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent rightward shift and appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services is intrinsically linked to his cultivation of a large online following within the wellness community, a sphere increasingly aligned with right-wing ideologies. This online ecosystem, encompassing figures like Joe Rogan and Bryan Johnson, blends seemingly apolitical health trends with pro-Trump conspiracy theories, impacting public health through decreased vaccination rates and eroded trust in medical expertise. Kennedy’s appeal stems from his embodiment of this “wellness” image and his engagement with influencers, contrasting sharply with the perceived inauthenticity of mainstream Democratic attempts to connect with similar online audiences. Ultimately, his success highlights the need to address this cultural shift, recognizing the convergence of health concerns and political narratives as a significant factor shaping public opinion.
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North Korea has banned the sale of budae-jjigae and tteokbokki in restaurants nationwide due to their South Korean origins, reflecting a broader crackdown on perceived South Korean cultural influence. These dishes, popular in the South since the Korean War, only recently appeared in the North via restaurants with Chinese partnerships. The ban, enforced by city police and market officials, has faced some resident opposition, with some arguing that the dishes are also enjoyed by ethnic Koreans in China and lack inherent ideological significance. Despite the ban, other South Korean cultural elements continue to be smuggled into the country.
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In the ongoing Ukraine conflict, at least 60 North Korean-supplied ballistic missiles, alongside millions of artillery shells, have been deployed by Russia. These missiles, including KN-23/24 types, reportedly exhibit lower accuracy due to outdated technology. Furthermore, thousands of North Korean soldiers have joined the fighting in Russia’s Kursk Oblast since October, contributing to the ongoing conflict. This military and material support from North Korea is believed to be in exchange for economic aid and assistance to Pyongyang’s nuclear program.
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Democratic Senators Warren and Blumenthal urged President Biden to issue a policy directive restricting President-elect Trump’s ability to deploy U.S. troops domestically without explicit state or local requests for assistance, citing concerns about Trump’s past statements and potential misuse of the Insurrection Act. The senators’ proposed directive would limit military deployment to situations where state authorities are overwhelmed or unable to act, emphasizing the need to adhere to the Posse Comitatus Act’s restrictions on domestic law enforcement. This preemptive measure aims to counter Trump’s expressed intentions to utilize the military for domestic purposes, including immigration enforcement and suppressing perceived internal threats. The senators also requested that future administrations consult Congress before using the military domestically.
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President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, citing politically motivated charges and selective prosecution. This action drew swift condemnation from Republicans, who accused the president of hypocrisy and avoiding accountability. Simultaneously, the president-elect, Trump, is reportedly installing loyalists into key positions, including nominating Charles Kushner as Ambassador to France and potentially replacing FBI Director Wray with Kash Patel. These appointments, along with the pardon, demonstrate a pattern of prioritizing personal loyalty and retribution over democratic norms and institutional integrity. The overall narrative highlights a deeply partisan environment characterized by mutual animosity and disregard for established procedures.
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John Q. Hosedrinker