President Biden signed a continuing resolution funding the government until March 14th, averting a shutdown. The bipartisan compromise includes $100 billion in disaster aid and a one-year farm bill, but notably excludes a debt limit extension. While not encompassing all desired provisions, the bill prevents a government shutdown and blocks a proposed tax cut favoring billionaires. The Senate and House passed the measure with substantial bipartisan support, overcoming initial opposition from Donald Trump and subsequent Republican infighting.
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Ukraine will continue to target Russian military sites with domestically produced drones and missiles, focusing on bases and infrastructure used in attacks against Ukrainian civilians. This follows a recent Russian attack on a Kherson oncology clinic, a deliberate act of cruelty according to President Zelenskyy, highlighting the ongoing need for increased defense support for Ukraine. The rubble from a Kyiv missile attack on December 20th has been cleared, while efforts continue in Kherson. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for international support, particularly efforts to bolster European defense spending.
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To combat the negative impacts of TikTok, particularly following a recent school-related death linked to social media conflict, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a nationwide ban on the platform for at least one year, beginning in 2025. This decision follows concerns about the platform’s content and influence on young people, mirroring similar actions taken by other nations. The government plans to implement supplementary educational programs to support students and parents during the ban. Rama cited the platform’s contrast between its content in China and its international offerings as a key reason for the ban.
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President Biden surpassed President Trump’s number of judicial appointments, reaching 235 confirmations. This includes one Supreme Court justice, numerous appeals and district court judges, and appointments to the U.S. Court of International Trade. These lifetime appointments aim to safeguard Biden’s policy legacy, particularly given Trump’s stated intentions. Democrats prioritized these confirmations before the end of their Senate majority, securing a significantly lower number of judicial vacancies for Trump to fill than Trump inherited in his first term. Despite this achievement, the shift in Senate control to Republicans raises concerns about future judicial appointments under the Trump administration.
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Hurley D. Braddy received a 30-year prison sentence for the murder of his partner in Kershaw, South Carolina. His guilty plea followed a 2022 incident where four children witnessed the shooting and alerted a neighbor. Authorities discovered the victim deceased at the scene; the children, including a one-year-old, were unharmed. Braddy’s conviction also includes a weapons charge.
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Nigerian authorities, in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), seized over two metric tons of pangolin scales—representing approximately 1,100 pangolins—and arrested a suspected wildlife trafficking broker on December 5th. This marks the third joint operation between the NCS and WJC in 2024 and significantly disrupts transnational pangolin trafficking networks operating through Lagos. The successful collaboration, ongoing since 2021, has resulted in numerous arrests, convictions, and significant seizures of pangolin scales and other illicit wildlife products. This latest seizure underscores Nigeria’s commitment to combating wildlife crime.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson faced immediate challenges securing government funding, initially requiring bipartisan support due to internal Republican dissent. Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s public opposition further complicated negotiations, leading to a scaled-back bill that averted a shutdown but alienated hard-right Republicans. Despite passing, the episode exposed deep divisions within the Republican party, jeopardizing Johnson’s speakership and hindering future legislative goals. The precarious balance of power leaves the party vulnerable to further internal conflict and external influence from powerful figures like Musk and Trump.
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The Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through March 14th by a vote of 85-11, averting a government shutdown. The bill, also passed by the House 366-34, includes $100 billion in disaster aid and a one-year farm bill. This legislation omits a debt limit extension initially demanded by President-elect Trump, a demand that ultimately led to several failed attempts at compromise. Republicans, in response, agreed to substantial spending cuts and a potential debt limit increase via reconciliation next year.
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President-elect Trump’s recent ambassadorial nominations have sparked controversy due to the nominees’ perceived lack of qualifications and potential conflicts of interest. The selections, including Herschel Walker for the Bahamas, Charles Kushner for Paris, and Kimberly Guilfoyle for Greece, have been criticized as prioritizing political loyalty over diplomatic expertise. This unprecedented volume of nominations, many lacking relevant experience, has led experts to express concerns about the potential damage to US foreign policy and international relations. The speed and nature of these appointments raise questions about the vetting process and the future direction of American diplomacy.
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Chris Hedges’ assertion that capitalists should be barred from healthcare systems highlights the inherent issue of commodifying essential services. This critique extends beyond healthcare to encompass numerous societal systems – from transportation and food to education and the environment – all negatively impacted by capitalist control. The article argues that addressing individual symptoms, like reforming healthcare, is insufficient; a systemic challenge to capitalism itself is necessary. Focusing solely on healthcare reform while ignoring the broader capitalist structure is akin to fighting a bully while allowing most of his attacks to continue.
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John Q. Hosedrinker