Following his loss in the vice presidential election, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the difficulty of understanding the choices of voters who supported President-elect Donald Trump. He emphasized the importance of seeking common ground rather than judgment, encouraging supporters to find unity and continue fighting for their beliefs. Walz also reflected on his campaign experience with Vice President Kamala Harris, observing that voters yearned for a sense of security, opportunity, and freedom in their lives. He expressed his gratitude to Harris for her faith in him and their shared commitment to the ideals of the campaign.
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Despite President-elect Trump’s campaign promises for tax reform, his true focus remains on delivering massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, his signature legislative achievement, exemplifies this, significantly reducing corporate taxes and providing substantial tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. The upcoming expiration of these tax cuts presents an opportunity for Trump to further his agenda by extending these benefits and potentially slashing corporate taxes even lower. These policies would further exacerbate income inequality, inflate the deficit, and strengthen the influence of corporations and wealthy individuals on American politics, ultimately hindering efforts to address pressing issues facing working families.
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Donald Trump’s victory, while surprising in its scale, can’t be explained by simplistic narratives of an apathetic electorate or the Democratic Party’s supposed shift towards progressivism. Instead, his win hinges on a unique combination of factors. Firstly, voters, despite disliking Trump personally, perceived him as a more competent economic leader due to the perceived loss of the Covid-era welfare state, even though objectively, Biden’s policies improved economic conditions for many. Secondly, the erosion of working-class institutions and the rise of individualism have left many voters prioritizing their own economic self-interest over collective well-being. This has created a climate where people are willing to vote for someone they know will harm others, hoping for personal gain. The key to combating this trend is rebuilding working-class institutions, fostering solidarity, and reminding people of the power of collective action for the greater good.
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As Donald Trump has announced his intention to pursue mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, Canada is anticipating a surge in asylum seekers at its southern border. This follows a pattern established during Trump’s first term when thousands of Haitians fled to Canada after the loss of their temporary protected status. The closure of the Roxham Road crossing, a previously popular entry point for asylum seekers, has only increased the urgency of this issue. The RCMP has confirmed its preparedness for an influx of migrants but acknowledges the ongoing backlog and lengthy processing times for asylum claims. Experts warn that the lack of accessible crossing points could drive desperate families to dangerous routes, highlighting the tragic consequences of similar attempts in the past.
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Ukraine has achieved significant progress in domestic weapons production this year, with the milestone of 100 missiles produced domestically. This follows an increase in domestic production of artillery, ammunition, and drones, reflecting a commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. These efforts are further bolstered by the establishment of systemic models for partner investment in Ukrainian arms production, notably with Denmark and France, signifying a shift towards localized weapon manufacturing. With over 800 companies now involved in the production of weaponry for Ukraine’s defense forces, this expansion in domestic production is expected to enhance Ukraine’s military strength and resilience.
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In a speech delivered in Eagan, Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz vowed to defend the state from what he called the “hateful agenda” of the Trump-Vance administration. He emphasized his commitment to protecting women’s reproductive rights, welcoming immigrants, addressing climate change, and safeguarding children in schools. While pledging to oppose the Trump-Vance agenda, Governor Walz also extended an olive branch to his constituents who voted for the other side, encouraging them to engage in dialogue and find common ground despite their political differences. He expressed a desire for Minnesotans to see each other as neighbors rather than enemies, seeking to foster a more inclusive and understanding political climate.
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After 50 years, authorities have apprehended Jon Keith Miller, 84, for the 1974 murder of Mary K Schlais. DNA evidence from a hair found on a hat at the crime scene, later confirmed to belong to Miller, led to his arrest. Miller confessed to picking up Schlais, who was hitchhiking, and fatally stabbing her after she refused his sexual advances. This cold case was solved through the perseverance of investigators and the power of forensic science, delivering a long-awaited sense of justice for the victim and her family.
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Despite publicly disavowing it, President-elect Trump’s re-election has emboldened his allies to openly embrace the extreme policy blueprint known as Project 2025. This document, authored by former Trump administration officials and published by the Heritage Foundation, outlines an authoritarian agenda that seeks to dismantle the federal government, replace career civil servants with Trump loyalists, and implement extreme policies on immigration, abortion, energy, and education. While some dismiss this celebration as online trolling, many of these figures are likely to hold positions of influence in the Trump administration, making Project 2025 a real threat to democratic norms and institutions.
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Gaza’s most prominent Islamic scholar, Professor Salman al-Dayah, has issued a powerful fatwa condemning Hamas’s 7 October attack on Israel. This rare critique, presented in a detailed six-page document, argues that the attack violated Islamic principles governing jihad by failing to consider the potential for excessive civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Dr Dayah, a respected religious authority in Gaza, emphasizes the importance of protecting non-combatants and avoiding actions that would provoke a disproportionate response from the enemy. He stresses that the attack’s devastating consequences directly contradict Islamic teachings and demonstrate a failure by Hamas to uphold its obligations to the Palestinian people.
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Despite expectations of a large turnout for Kamala Harris among women, early exit polls show a smaller gender gap than anticipated, with Harris falling short of Joe Biden’s 2020 performance. This shortfall is particularly noticeable among Latina women, who saw a 10-point drop in support for Democrats, and non-college educated women, who maintained their preference for Trump. While Harris focused heavily on abortion rights during her campaign, this key issue, while popular, did not translate into a significant boost in her favor. Although abortion rights remain a strong issue for many Americans, the results suggest that it was not enough to sway enough women to support Harris.
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John Q. Hosedrinker