The U.K. responded to a report detailing Russia’s involvement in a 2018 Novichok attack on British soil by sanctioning the Russian intelligence service and summoning the Russian ambassador. The inquiry found that President Vladimir Putin bore “moral responsibility” for the death of Dawn Sturgess, who was exposed to the nerve agent after handling a discarded perfume bottle. The report concluded the assassination attempt targeting Sergei Skripal “must have been authorized at the highest level, by President Putin.” The U.K. government condemned the act as “shocking and reckless hostile activity.”
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Contrary to initial concerns, New York City’s luxury real estate market is booming, defying predictions of an exodus of wealthy residents. Signed contracts for Manhattan homes over $4 million saw significant increases in November, according to data from Douglas Elliman and Miller Samuel. This surge in high-end sales contradicts the narrative of wealthy individuals fleeing due to the potential election of a socialist mayor, as indicated by real estate leaders. Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of Miller Samuel, cites strong Wall Street bonuses as a reason for wealthy buyers to come to or stay in New York.
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The Trump administration has controversially justified the killing of suspected cocaine smugglers as “unlawful combatants” in an “armed struggle” against the United States, even if they are unarmed and pose no immediate threat. In a specific instance, Adm. Frank M. Bradley ordered a second missile strike on survivors of an initial strike on a drug smuggling boat. According to reports, this second strike was carried out because the survivors had radioed for help and were seen as still “in the fight.” Critics argue the second strike was a war crime, violating the law-of-war rules regarding shipwrecked individuals. This defense reveals the complexities of applying the law of war to a scenario that, according to the article, doesn’t really exist.
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San Francisco initiated the first government lawsuit against food manufacturers over ultra-processed foods, arguing that these companies are responsible for the financial burden on local governments due to related health issues. The city is suing ten major corporations, accusing them of deceptive marketing practices and violating state laws. The lawsuit seeks damages for the costs associated with treating residents harmed by ultra-processed foods, which are linked to numerous health conditions. The city’s actions are supported by scientific findings that connect these foods to significant health risks and the companies’ prioritization of profit over public health.
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The Supreme Court has granted Texas the ability to use a redrawn congressional map that could add up to five Republican-friendly districts. This decision overturned a lower court’s ruling that deemed the new map unlawful due to potential racial gerrymandering, sparking dissent from the court’s liberal justices. The ruling allows the map to be used in next year’s elections, despite the lower court finding that Texas likely sorted voters based on race. This decision is part of a larger, nationwide battle over redistricting, impacting efforts to secure Republican control in the House and potentially affecting the outcome of the midterm elections.
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After a federal judge dismissed the initial charges, a grand jury declined to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James in a mortgage fraud case for the second time. The Justice Department, however, may seek indictment a third time, indicating the intensity of their efforts. The charges stemmed from accusations of false statements and bank fraud, but were initially thrown out due to the unlawful appointment of the prosecutor. The defense argued the appointment of Trump’s handpicked prosecutor was invalid, and the case has been met with claims of selective and vindictive prosecution.
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President Donald Trump issued a “full and unconditional pardon” for Tim Leiweke, co-founder of Oak View Group, who was indicted earlier this year on charges of rigging the bidding process for an arena at a public university. Leiweke, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, faced a potential 10-year prison sentence and a $1 million fine. Leiweke, represented by former Rep. Trey Gowdy, had previously criticized Trump. The pardon comes amidst a series of surprising clemency moves and was announced shortly after OVG named a new permanent CEO following Leiweke’s resignation.
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In a recent interview, President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia intends to fully control Ukraine’s Donbas region, either through the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces or by military force. This declaration comes after Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, following years of conflict in the Donbas, encompassing the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. While Ukraine has rejected this ultimatum, Russia currently controls nearly 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea, and has repeatedly expressed its desire to control the entire Donbas region in discussions with the United States. Furthermore, Putin recently met with US envoys, indicating continued dialogue regarding potential peace agreements, despite ongoing territorial disputes.
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A recent Pentagon Inspector General’s report details Defense Secretary Hegseth’s actions, revealing he had a unique system installed in his secure office to access his personal cell phone. This system, which mirrored the phone’s content and connected it to a monitor and keyboard, was created to allow the secretary access to non-official communications. The report stemmed from an investigation into Hegseth’s use of Signal to share sensitive information about US airstrikes, potentially risking the safety of US military personnel. The investigation concluded that Hegseth’s actions created a risk to operational security, despite the secretary’s claims of no endangerment.
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Recent polling data indicates a significant shift in sentiment among the MAGA base, with nearly half of Americans blaming the former Republican president for the current cost-of-living crisis. Astonishingly, a substantial 37% of Trump voters report never having experienced such financial hardship. This dissatisfaction is reflected in his low approval ratings and has fueled Democratic successes in recent elections. The shift in voter sentiment is evident in the narrower margin of victory for a Republican candidate in a special congressional election in Tennessee, suggesting a potential erosion of GOP support.
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John Q. Hosedrinker