Mikheil Kavelashvili, a pro-Russia politician with strong anti-Western views, was elected Georgian president by a vote of 224 out of 225 electors. His election follows contested parliamentary elections and the Georgian Dream party’s decision to delay EU membership talks, sparking widespread protests. Incumbent President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-Western figure, rejects the legitimacy of the election and refuses to step down, creating a constitutional crisis. International condemnation of the situation is mounting, with the EU and US expressing support for Georgia’s pro-democracy movement and imposing sanctions.
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The Swiss government rejected a Young Socialists’ initiative to impose a 50% inheritance tax on fortunes exceeding CHF50 million, citing potential negative economic consequences. The government’s statement argued that the tax would harm Switzerland’s reputation and lead to a significant exodus of wealthy individuals, ultimately reducing overall tax revenue. While the initiative garnered over 100,000 signatures, triggering a future public vote, the government’s opposition significantly diminishes its likelihood of success. The government’s assessment projects a net loss of tax revenue due to capital flight.
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The Netherlands’ Supreme Court upheld lower court rulings rejecting Russia’s appeal against a Hague Arbitration Court decision. This decision confirms Russia’s liability for the illegal expropriation of Naftogaz’s Crimean assets, a violation of a Ukraine-Russia investment agreement. The ruling validates the February 2019 partial award and the subsequent $5 billion compensation order against Russia. This final judgment reinforces the Hague tribunal’s jurisdiction and follows a similar decision by a Finnish court, which seized Russian assets to enforce the award.
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Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former OpenAI researcher, was found deceased in his San Francisco apartment; the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide. Prior to his death, Balaji publicly voiced concerns about OpenAI’s alleged copyright violations in developing ChatGPT, believing the technology threatened creators’ livelihoods. His death follows ongoing legal battles against OpenAI regarding the use of copyrighted material in training AI models. OpenAI has expressed its condolences.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s bid to lead House Democrats on the Oversight Committee faces opposition from House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who is backing Representative Gerry Connolly instead. This contest highlights a generational divide, with Ocasio-Cortez emphasizing her energy and ability to confront the incoming Republican majority, while Connolly’s recent cancer diagnosis may hinder his campaign. Despite Pelosi’s reported lobbying efforts, Ocasio-Cortez appears to enjoy significant support within the Oversight Committee itself. However, the final decision rests with the full Democratic caucus.
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Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked publication of an op-ed critical of President-elect Trump’s cabinet picks, demanding a counterpoint editorial be published simultaneously. This action, following previous interventions like withdrawing an endorsement of Kamala Harris, reflects Soon-Shiong’s efforts to shift the paper towards a more “balanced,” less liberal perspective. The incident sparked staff outrage and further fueled concerns about billionaire influence over media narratives and editorial independence. This pattern mirrors similar actions by other media owners, illustrating a broader trend of shifting media stances towards Trump.
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Following the mandated recertification of Medicaid recipients, over 5 million children nationwide have lost their coverage. Many cases appear to stem from procedural complexities and administrative hurdles. The challenges faced by families are highlighted by the story of a Colorado father fighting to restore his daughter’s Medicaid benefits. This situation underscores the significant impact of these eligibility reviews on vulnerable populations.
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Despite spending tens of millions of dollars on anti-transgender campaign ads, President-elect Trump now claims the bathroom debate is unimportant, affecting a “very small number of people.” He suggests the Supreme Court should decide the issue and agrees with Rep.-elect Sarah McBride that other matters warrant congressional attention. Trump’s recent statements directly contradict his campaign’s aggressive rhetoric targeting transgender individuals, particularly in ads falsely portraying Democratic nominee Kamala Harris’s stance on gender-affirming care. He now asserts his support for fair treatment of all people, irrespective of majority or minority status.
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Overnight on December 14th, multiple Russian Telegram channels reported a Ukrainian drone attack on an Oryol oil depot, resulting in a significant fire and explosions. Oryol Oblast governor Andrey Klychkov confirmed the downing of eleven drones and the localization of the fire, reporting no casualties. While unverified by Ukrainian authorities, videos circulating on social media appear to show a drone strike impacting an oil storage tank. This attack follows a pattern of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian oil infrastructure near the border.
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Donald Trump’s campaign centered on a promise to curb inflation, a pledge he acknowledged as crucial to his victory. However, he is now expressing uncertainty about the feasibility of that pledge. This shift, discussed by NYT columnist Michelle Goldberg and More Perfect Union’s Faiz Shakir, reveals a potential disconnect between Trump’s campaign promises and his true economic priorities. Analysis of his post-election statements suggests a reconsideration of his initial commitment to tackling inflation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker