Finnish investigators discovered a nearly 100km seabed trail near a damaged underwater electricity cable, linking the damage to the Russian-linked ship *Eagle S*. The *Eagle S*’s anchor is believed to be responsible, causing damage to the Estlink 2 cable connecting Finland and Estonia. This suspected act of sabotage, which will take months to repair and increase Estonian electricity prices, follows a pattern of similar incidents targeting underwater infrastructure. While the crew of the *Eagle S* consisted of Georgian and Indian nationals, the ship’s recent docking in Russia and its suspected cargo of Russian oil products point towards potential Russian involvement.
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President-elect Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, reiterated a previous directive to all nominees to refrain from social media postings without White House counsel approval, emphasizing that no one in the incoming administration speaks for the President-elect. This instruction comes ahead of Senate confirmation hearings, a process expected to be challenging for some nominees given the narrow Republican majority. While the memo wasn’t a direct response to recent social media controversies, it reinforces the need for strategic communication. Several nominees, including those facing significant scrutiny, have complied with the directive and are actively engaging in closed-door meetings with senators to secure support.
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A Belgrade court sentenced Vladimir Kecmanovic to 14.5 years and Miljana Kecmanovic to three years for their roles in the May 2023 school shooting that killed ten. Vladimir was found guilty of endangering public safety and child neglect, while Miljana was convicted of child neglect. The shooting instructor also received a prison sentence. Both the prosecution and defense plan to appeal the verdict.
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Donald Trump’s cabinet picks reveal a pattern of appointing individuals who have previously lost elections, including those defeated by him and within the Republican party. This strategy contrasts with his public rhetoric of celebrating “winners,” suggesting a deliberate effort to select loyalists unlikely to oppose his agenda. These appointments, encompassing figures from various races and levels of government, indicate a prioritization of unwavering allegiance over experience or prior electoral success. Trump’s stated goal is to avoid the “mistakes” of his first term by surrounding himself with completely compliant individuals.
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Following the death of former President Jimmy Carter, President Biden contrasted Carter’s decency and humanitarian efforts with those of his predecessor, Donald Trump. Biden highlighted Carter’s legacy of service and global impact, emphasizing his commitment to human rights and peaceful conflict resolution. In response, Trump issued measured statements praising Carter while acknowledging their political differences. This contrasted sharply with Trump’s previous criticisms of Carter. Carter’s state funeral is scheduled for January 9th.
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President Biden declared January 9th a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at age 100. Flags will be flown at half-staff across the nation and at U.S. embassies abroad for 30 days. Biden encouraged Americans to attend religious services in Carter’s honor, and an official state funeral is planned. Public memorial services will be held in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., with final details forthcoming.
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Russia has definitively declined any invitation to the Global Peace Summit, citing Ukraine’s unwillingness to compromise on its 1991 borders and the complete withdrawal of Russian troops. Ukraine, aiming to hold the summit before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, continues preparations, despite delays. While initially suggesting Russia’s presence was a non-starter, Zelenskyy later indicated a willingness to invite Russia, though he believes Putin is uninterested in peace. Ukraine’s plan involves a multi-point peace proposal, contingent on a globally-supported framework.
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In 2024, global population growth slowed slightly to 0.9%, adding over 71 million people and reaching 8.09 billion by New Year’s Day. This follows a 2023 increase of 75 million. The U.S. population concurrently rose by 2.6 million, reaching 341 million, driven by a combination of births, deaths, and net international migration. This growth represents a slower rate than the previous decade.
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Nearly half of GOP voters want the military to put immigrants in camps, according to a poll. This is a deeply disturbing statistic, hinting at a troubling acceptance of extreme measures within a significant portion of the Republican electorate. The sheer scale of this number demands a serious examination of the underlying causes and potential consequences.
The idea of using the military to detain immigrants in camps evokes stark historical parallels. Such a policy immediately brings to mind the darkest chapters of the 20th century, prompting justified concerns about human rights violations and the potential for widespread abuses. The very suggestion of “camps” is alarming, regardless of whether the target is all immigrants or just those undocumented.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood