Following Russia’s Christmas Day missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, President Biden directed the Department of Defense to continue its increased weapons supply to Ukraine. The attacks, which killed at least one energy worker and damaged power plants, aimed to disrupt heat and electricity access for Ukrainian citizens during winter. This was the thirteenth large-scale strike on Ukraine’s energy grid this year, prompting international condemnation, including from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Despite significant Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepting many missiles, the attacks resulted in widespread power outages. Ukraine continues to urge allies for increased military and humanitarian aid.
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Asma Assad, diagnosed with a recurrence of leukemia, is currently isolated in Moscow with her father following the Assad family’s flight from Damascus. Reports suggest she is tired of restrictions in Russia and desires a divorce from her husband and treatment in London, a request vehemently rejected by the UK government. While her citizenship status remains under review, the UK Foreign Secretary has explicitly stated she is unwelcome in the country. The Kremlin denies previous reports of her divorce plans.
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A patrol near the Canadian border in Lynden, Washington yielded a significant drug bust last Thursday. Two backpacks containing approximately $1.1 million worth of cocaine were discovered and subsequently seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. The cocaine, totaling 30 brick-like packages, was transferred to the DEA. While no arrests have been publicly reported, the agency lauded the agents’ vigilance in preventing the narcotics from reaching communities.
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On Christmas Day, Donald Trump used Truth Social to post 34 messages within an hour, including a meme mocking Barack Obama. The posts also featured self-congratulatory headlines, endorsements of his cabinet picks (particularly Pete Hegseth), and a holiday photo with Melania Trump. This activity followed a less overtly combative initial Christmas greeting and contrasted with previous years’ more explicitly hostile Christmas messages. Other Trump family members and MAGA allies also leveraged the holiday for political messaging.
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President-elect Trump intends to aggressively pursue the death penalty, reversing President Biden’s commutation of 37 federal death sentences. This stance contradicts evidence of the death penalty’s ineffectiveness as a deterrent and its inherent biases. Trump’s plans extend beyond murder, encompassing drug trafficking and potentially other crimes, raising concerns among opponents. His administration’s approach stands in stark contrast to the growing national and international movement toward abolishing capital punishment.
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An Azerbaijani Airlines plane crashed in Kazakhstan on December 25th, killing 38 of the 67 passengers and crew. Independent Russian media outlets report the plane may have been struck by a Russian surface-to-air missile, citing evidence of missile damage to the aircraft and eyewitness accounts of an explosion. This theory is supported by reports of drone attacks on Chechnya that morning. While Russian authorities initially attributed the crash to a bird strike, the recovered black box is expected to clarify the cause.
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A Syrian administration source vehemently denied Iranian claims of diplomatic communication, asserting that all contact with Iran is severed and rejecting any plans to reopen embassies. This directly contradicts statements by Iranian officials who announced ongoing diplomatic discussions regarding embassy reopenings. Simultaneously, the Syrian administration is preparing a $300 billion compensation claim against Iran for damages incurred during the Syrian conflict, citing Iran’s actions as “criminal and arbitrary.” Conflicting statements from Iranian officials further highlight the lack of clarity surrounding the relationship between the two nations.
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Donald Trump’s inaugural committee is projected to surpass previous fundraising records, potentially exceeding $150 million. This fundraising includes significant contributions from corporations that previously condemned the January 6th insurrection. These donations appear transactional, with Trump reportedly inquiring about specific corporate contributions and implying repercussions for non-donors. The committee, organized as a non-profit, offers various perks to high-dollar donors, including exclusive events and access to Trump and his administration. While donors remain undisclosed for some time, the influx of corporate money signals a strategic effort to secure favor with the incoming administration.
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High inflation and economic instability in Turkey have driven one-third of the nation’s children into poverty, impacting families like the Sahins in Istanbul. The Sahin children, including 11-year-old Atakan, often forgo meals and proper schooling to help their family survive by collecting recyclables. This situation reflects a broader crisis, with millions of children facing similar hardships, forcing many into child labor and hindering their educational prospects. Despite government welfare programs, the cost of living remains prohibitively high, leaving families struggling to afford basic necessities and highlighting a stark contrast between Turkey’s economic image and the realities faced by its poorest citizens.
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Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, carrying 69 passengers from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after an emergency landing attempt due to fog. The crash resulted in 38 fatalities, with the remaining passengers surviving. The aircraft, carrying mostly Azerbaijani nationals along with passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, caught fire upon impact. An investigation into the cause of the crash, including unconfirmed reports of a bird strike, is underway.
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John Q. Hosedrinker