Analysis of 500 fossilized dinosaur droppings and vomit from Poland, spanning 247 to 200 million years ago, reveals insights into the dinosaurs’ rise to dominance. The study, published in *Nature*, shows an increase in bromalite size and diversity over time, correlating with the emergence of larger and more varied dinosaur diets. Researchers linked bromalite contents to skeletal remains and footprints, reconstructing a five-phase model of dinosaur ascendancy driven by dietary adaptability and possibly enhanced by volcanic activity increasing plant diversity. This suggests a combination of superior physical adaptations and advantageous responses to environmental change were key to their evolutionary success.
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Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy plan to utilize recent Supreme Court decisions in *West Virginia v. EPA* and *Loper Bright* to dismantle federal regulations, believing these rulings expand executive power to do so. However, legal experts contend this interpretation is flawed, arguing the rulings actually restrict agency authority and complicate the process of overturning existing rules. The process of removing regulations is lengthy, resource-intensive, and faces potential legal challenges. Therefore, achieving significant deregulation will be considerably more difficult than Musk and Ramaswamy suggest.
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On November 28th, Ukraine’s HUR reported the destruction of a Russian 48Y6-K1 Podlet radar station near Kotovske, Crimea. This modern, approximately $5 million radar system, designed for low-altitude target detection, was reportedly destroyed in an operation claimed by HUR, though verification is pending. This attack follows a series of explosions across Crimea, adding to Ukraine’s ongoing targeting of Russian military assets in occupied territory. The incident highlights continued Ukrainian offensive action in the region.
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The nomination of Mr. Phelan as Navy Secretary is unusual given his lack of military or significant prior Navy experience, a departure from recent predecessors. This contrasts sharply with his substantial financial contributions to the Trump campaign, exceeding $800,000, and his hosting of a high-dollar fundraising event at his residence. This appointment has prompted online criticism, with even some Trump supporters expressing concerns about potential cronyism. His position on the board of a military support nonprofit is noted, though it doesn’t fully offset the lack of direct Navy ties.
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A recently uncovered contract reveals a significant business partnership between Camorra drug boss Raffaele Imperiale and Dubai’s sheik Marwan al Maktoum. The 2015 agreement involved the development of luxury villas on Palm Jumeirah, with Imperiale, even while a wanted fugitive, acting through a shell company. Al Maktoum held majority shares in the venture until 2018, highlighting Dubai’s history as a haven for illicit funds. Imperiale’s arrest in Dubai in 2021 and subsequent cooperation with authorities followed years of operating in the city.
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North Korea maintains strict secrecy surrounding its troops’ casualties in Russia, with families receiving minimal information and the public remaining unaware. The government treats fallen soldiers as expendable, prioritizing regime security over individual lives. This secrecy extends to the troops’ deployment itself, enforced through censorship and the threat of punishment under the 2023 State Secrets Protection Law. Meanwhile, the elite Storm Corps, known for rigorous training simulating South Korean infiltration, continues its operations, fueling concerns of potential future aggression.
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The Russian ruble plummeted to its lowest point since March 2022, reaching 114 against the dollar, prompting the central bank to intervene and halt foreign currency purchases for the remainder of the year to curb market volatility. President Putin attributed the fluctuations to budget payments and seasonal factors, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed the impact on ordinary citizens. However, experts like Timothy Ash of BlueBay Asset Management view the weakening ruble as a sign of a worsening economic crisis, exacerbated by new US sanctions on Gazprombank and the ongoing war in Ukraine. This economic decline is characterized by high inflation, despite interest rate hikes, and is further complicated by the government’s increased defense spending.
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A Rolling Stone report reveals discussions within Trump’s transition team regarding a potential “soft invasion” of Mexico, involving covert operations by American special forces to eliminate cartel leaders. This plan, echoing previous proposals by Trump and some congressional lawmakers, would proceed without Mexican government consent. The discussions center on the scope of this intervention, raising concerns about unilateral US action in Mexico. The plan draws parallels to past counter-terrorism operations, such as the raid that killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
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President-elect Trump’s transition team submitted an ethics plan seemingly omitting provisions addressing his own conflicts of interest, a notable oversight given his past and recent business ventures. The plan, while largely complying with the Presidential Transition Act, requires team members, but not Trump himself, to avoid conflicts of interest and safeguard sensitive information. This omission raises concerns, especially considering his new cryptocurrency venture and other recent business dealings. Despite delays in signing agreements with the White House and GSA, the team’s signing of the White House agreement is a positive step towards facilitating information sharing. However, the lack of a GSA agreement raises concerns about secure communication and access to federal resources.
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The current electoral college system allows for a presidential candidate to win without securing the national popular vote, as evidenced by recent elections. This system disproportionately focuses campaigning efforts on a few swing states, ignoring the concerns of voters elsewhere. A winner-take-all allocation of electoral votes disenfranchises voters in states leaning heavily towards one party. Reforming the system to proportionally allocate electoral votes based on the popular vote within each state would ensure every vote counts and lessen the chance of a popular vote loser winning the presidency. This reform, while potentially maintaining the electoral college, would address many of its current flaws.
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John Q. Hosedrinker