A Seoul court sentenced a 26-year-old South Korean man to a two-year suspended prison sentence for deliberately gaining over 44 pounds to avoid active military duty. His accomplice, also 26, received the same sentence for assisting in the scheme. The man, initially deemed fit for active duty, significantly increased his caloric intake and quit his job to reach a weight qualifying him for social service. Both defendants and prosecutors did not appeal the November 13th ruling.
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Facing intense pressure, including from within his own party, President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized for his attempt to impose martial law but refused to resign. His actions, which were rescinded hours after their declaration following parliamentary defiance, prompted calls for his impeachment. Despite some within his party advocating for his resignation, Yoon stated he would accept responsibility and leave the political situation’s resolution to his party. Investigations into insurrection and abuse of power are underway, with potential severe penalties for those involved.
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A group of Charles County students with intellectual and developmental disabilities were refused service at a Waldorf Cracker Barrel during a field trip, despite prior notification of their visit. The restaurant cited a staffing shortage and subsequent dining room closure as the cause of the incident, leading to the students eating on their bus instead. School officials and parents expressed disappointment and outrage at the treatment, while Cracker Barrel issued an apology and pledged to work with the school to prevent similar occurrences. Following the incident, other businesses have offered their locations for future field trips.
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A UK government AI system used to detect welfare fraud exhibits bias based on age, disability, marital status, and nationality, according to an internal assessment. This “statistically significant outcome disparity” was revealed in documents obtained via the Freedom of Information Act, despite earlier government assurances of no discriminatory impact. While human oversight remains, concerns remain regarding a “hurt first, fix later” approach and the lack of fairness analysis regarding other protected characteristics. The revelation fuels calls for greater transparency in government AI use, particularly given the numerous undisclosed applications across UK public authorities.
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The European Commission fined Meta $840 million for abusing its dominant market position by unfairly linking Facebook Marketplace to Facebook, violating EU antitrust rules. This decision, following a two-year investigation, concludes that Meta leveraged its social network to give Marketplace an unfair advantage over competitors. Meta plans to appeal the ruling but will comply while developing a solution. The fine represents a significant portion of Meta’s global revenue, reflecting the seriousness of the antitrust violation.
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Judge Richard Bennett ruled that the U.S. Naval Academy may continue considering race in admissions, citing a compelling national security interest in a diverse officer corps. The judge found that the academy’s use of race is narrowly tailored to achieve this interest, rejecting arguments from Students for Fair Admissions that the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling should apply. While race is a minor factor, the court recognized the military’s need for a representative and cohesive force, emphasizing the importance of diversity for mission effectiveness. Students for Fair Admissions plans to appeal the decision.
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Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot in a premeditated attack in midtown Manhattan. Despite the crime occurring in a heavily surveilled area, the gunman, whose image is now public, initially evaded capture. However, investigators have obtained footage of the suspect, including his actions before and after the shooting, and believe he may have left New York City via bus. Experts suggest that recovered shell casings inscribed with the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” along with witness accounts and the suspect’s apparent calmness, are crucial pieces of evidence. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities pursuing various leads and analyzing physical evidence.
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Following a confrontation stemming from online comments about abortion access and the 2024 election, white nationalist Nick Fuentes was arrested in Illinois and charged with battery. A police report details how Fuentes allegedly pepper-sprayed a woman and pushed her down a flight of stairs after she arrived at his home to question him. Video evidence of the incident reportedly surfaced online, corroborating the victim’s account. Fuentes was subsequently booked, fingerprinted, and released on bond, with a court date set for December 19th.
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Karen Cahall, a long-time New Richmond Exempted Village Schools teacher, is suing the district for a three-day unpaid suspension stemming from four LGBTQ+-themed books in her classroom. The district, citing a vaguely worded policy on “controversial issues,” deemed the books unacceptable despite their non-obscene content and Cahall’s non-instructional use of them. The lawsuit alleges the policy is unconstitutionally vague and that the district engaged in viewpoint discrimination, violating Cahall’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Cahall claims economic loss due to the unjust suspension.
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Far-right influencer Nick Fuentes was arrested and charged with battery after allegedly pepper-spraying and assaulting a woman who went to his home in Berwyn, Illinois. The woman, Marla Rose, claims she visited Fuentes’ residence to confront him following his controversial “Your body, my choice” social media post. Fuentes, who was released pending a December 19 court appearance, claims self-defense due to alleged death threats and doxing following his viral post. Both individuals have taken to social media to publicize their perspectives on the incident.
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John Q. Hosedrinker