In response to President-elect Trump’s impending tariffs on Canadian imports, Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to cut off energy supplies to the U.S., impacting states such as Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin. This drastic measure is considered a retaliatory option alongside other planned counter-tariffs on American goods, a strategy coordinated between Ottawa and all Canadian provinces. The federal government presented a border security plan aimed at addressing Trump’s concerns, a plan Premier Ford deemed a “good start” but emphasized the need for swift implementation. Despite a recent meeting between Prime Minister Trudeau and President Trump, tensions remain high, fueled by Trump’s continued jabs at Canada and Trudeau’s previous comments about the U.S. election.
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Mikhail Shatsky, deputy general designer at Russia’s Mars Design Bureau, was eliminated in Moscow. He was responsible for modernizing Kh-59 missiles into Kh-69 variants used to attack Ukraine, and his work also encompassed UAV development and spacecraft control systems. Ukrainian Defense Intelligence is reported to have carried out the operation, a claim confirmed by sources within the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Shatsky’s contributions to Russia’s missile program are linked to the deaths of numerous Ukrainian civilians.
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Following a vote by European interior ministers in Brussels, Bulgaria and Romania will officially join the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025. Austria, previously opposed, dropped its veto after a deal securing increased Bulgarian border security. This decision concludes a long process, with the countries meeting Schengen requirements since 2010 but facing repeated objections from member states. The expansion marks a significant enlargement of the world’s largest free movement zone.
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Facing a potential 25% US tariff threat on all Canadian imports, Canadian premiers are collaboratively developing retaliatory measures. These measures, suggested by Premier Doug Ford, could include cutting off energy exports to US states like Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed provincial support for a strong response, noting suggestions also included restricting exports of critical minerals and metals. While the US government’s own data shows significantly fewer migrants and fentanyl entering from Canada than Mexico, Canada is still preparing enhanced border security measures.
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The North Carolina State Board of Elections unanimously rejected the Republican Party’s attempt to invalidate over 60,000 ballots cast in the 2022 general election, a move aimed at impacting several close races, including a Supreme Court contest. The GOP’s challenge, based on alleged irregularities and lack of driver’s license information in a state database, was deemed an affront to democracy by board members. While the decision can be appealed, the board’s rejection marks another setback for similar challenges previously rejected by the state and federal courts. The outcome of the affected races, including the Supreme Court race and several state legislative seats, remains uncertain pending potential legal action.
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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced the deployment of undisclosed numbers of tactical nuclear warheads in Belarus, emphasizing their deterrent effect against border incursions. He further revealed plans for the joint deployment of Russian “Oreshnik” medium-range ballistic missiles in Belarus by mid-2025, with Belarusian control over targeting decisions. These deployments are ostensibly a response to perceived threats from neighboring countries. Lukashenko stressed that while Belarus will use the missiles jointly with Russia, target selection will remain solely under Belarusian control.
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Spanish Foreign Minister José Luis Albares dismissed Donald Trump’s claim of ending the Ukraine war in 24 hours as unrealistic, citing Vladimir Putin’s apparent lack of desire for peace. Albares emphasized that a Russian victory would severely escalate global instability. This skepticism contrasts with surprisingly high Ukrainian trust in Trump, despite Zelenskyy’s own non-literal interpretation of the campaign promise. The statement highlights the significant doubt surrounding Trump’s assertion within international circles.
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Argentina’s November inflation rate reached a four-year low of 2.4%, a significant decrease from October’s 3% and a continued decline since December 2023’s 25.5% spike following a peso devaluation. While year-to-date inflation remains high at 112%, the sectors with the largest monthly price increases were education, housing and utilities, and food and beverages. The government celebrated this drop as a step towards inflation stabilization, a claim echoed by President Milei.
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Legal Eagle, Devin Stone, has sued the FBI and DOJ to compel the release of their findings in the dropped federal criminal cases against President-elect Trump. The lawsuit, filed after a denied FOIA request, seeks to preserve records before potential destruction or alteration by the incoming administration. Stone’s concerns center on the potential for a cover-up, citing Trump’s plans to replace investigators with loyalists and his stated intention to rewrite history. The lawsuit aims to uncover information about potential co-conspirators and the full extent of Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents.
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RFK Jr.’s relentless pursuit to prove the CIA assassinated his uncle, JFK, is a complex and controversial undertaking. The very fact that he’s embarking on this investigation, regardless of its outcome, raises significant questions. Some see it as a desperate attempt to gain relevance, fueled by a long-standing family narrative and perhaps a personal need for validation. Others believe that this is a genuine investigation, albeit one clouded by potential biases.
This “investigation,” as it’s being framed, immediately invites scrutiny. The inherent danger lies in the potential for confirmation bias—seeking out evidence that supports a pre-existing belief while ignoring contradictory information.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood