Following a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, President Zelenskyy announced that US security guarantees for Ukraine were fully agreed upon. He also revealed that a 20-point peace plan was 90% agreed, with an economic revitalization plan nearly finalized. While acknowledging the success of the talks, President Trump indicated that the territorial partition issue remained unresolved and that Europe would play a significant role in Ukraine’s future security. The discussions included a phone call with European leaders, showing good progress toward finalizing documents, possibly within the next month, as hoped by Zelenskyy.
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During a joint press conference, President Trump stated that Vladimir Putin expressed a desire for Ukraine’s success and indicated Russia’s willingness to assist with its reconstruction. Trump claimed Putin was generous in his sentiment towards Ukraine, even mentioning the possibility of providing energy and other resources at low prices. Trump was responding to a question regarding discussions about Russia’s role in Ukraine’s post-war rebuilding. The former President concluded that “a lot of good things came out of that call today”.
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Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani will be sworn into office at midnight on January 1st inside the abandoned old City Hall subway station, signaling a new era for the city. This location was chosen to reflect the transformative ambitions of the new administration, echoing the city’s historical commitment to transit. The private ceremony will be followed by a public swearing-in at City Hall at 1 p.m., which will feature Senator Bernie Sanders, and a car-free block party. This unique event will also serve to close the loop on a social media post Mamdani made following the election, alluding to the new administration’s goals.
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Iran’s currency collapse sparks second day of protests, and the situation feels like a pressure cooker on the verge of exploding. The plummeting value of the Iranian rial against the dollar is making life increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens, triggering public demonstrations. This isn’t just about economic hardship; it’s a symptom of deeper structural problems, including corruption, inequality, and a severe water crisis, all of which have been brewing for some time. The question on everyone’s mind seems to be whether these protests will finally lead to meaningful change in Iran.
The precipitous decline of the rial is staggering. It’s difficult to fathom the speed at which the currency has lost value, effectively turning many Iranians into overnight “trillionaires” in their own currency, yet leaving them unable to afford basic necessities.… Continue reading
‘I Was Just So Naïve’: Inside Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Break With Trump seems to be the latest political theater playing out. The narrative, as it’s being presented, suggests a shift, a distancing from the former president. But is it genuine? The phrase “I was just so naive” feels like a carefully crafted soundbite, a way to explain away years of unwavering support for someone who, as many see it, represents the very antithesis of sensible governance. It’s a classic move, the sort of thing we see when someone wants to distance themselves from a sinking ship, or perhaps, reposition themselves for a different role in the political landscape.… Continue reading
In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of lacking a desire for peace, suggesting that Moscow would achieve its objectives through military means if a peaceful resolution was not pursued. These comments came after a significant Russian attack, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express his desire for peace while indicating Russia’s intention to continue the war. Putin’s remarks coincided with a meeting between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at resolving the conflict. Furthermore, Russia claimed to have captured several towns in eastern Ukraine, a claim disputed by Ukrainian military officials who reported ongoing defensive operations in the affected areas, adding to the complexities of the ongoing conflict.
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Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Hyundai is unable to repurchase its former manufacturing plant in Russia, according to a source familiar with the internal deliberations. The automaker sold the plant in St. Petersburg in 2024 to AGR Automotive Group, including a buyback option set to expire in January. Although a final decision has not been made, the source cited the conflict as the primary reason for the situation, making a buyback impossible. This development mirrors a trend among foreign carmakers exiting the Russian market, with several other companies also facing expiring buyback options.
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Judge won’t delay order that nursing home owner pardoned by Trump report to Arkansas prison. So, the deal is, this nursing home owner, a guy named Schwartz, got a pardon from Trump, but the state of Arkansas still wants him to serve time in prison. The judge isn’t backing down, and the order stands: Schwartz has to report. Now, the main sticking point seems to be Schwartz’s kosher diet. He says he needs to stick to it, and his lawyers asked for a delay.
Judge won’t delay order that nursing home owner pardoned by Trump report to Arkansas prison. The judge, however, said the state’s given info that the prison has a kosher kitchen.… Continue reading
Following a reported Ukrainian drone attack on Vladimir Putin’s residence, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of fabricating the event to justify further attacks, particularly on Kyiv, and to undermine peace efforts with the US. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Moscow would review its negotiating position in response to the alleged attack, which Russia claimed to have repelled. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump, who met with Zelenskyy, expressed being “angry” about the news and suggested it was not the “right time” for such actions, without condemning Russia’s actions. Zelenskyy proposed a demilitarized zone and a referendum on a peace plan, while also seeking longer-term security guarantees from the US.
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A Russian submarine was deployed alongside a spy ship, the Yantar, to map critical undersea infrastructure near Britain, as revealed by a declassified Ministry of Defence photo. The image shows the submarine shadowing the Yantar, which was reportedly surveying the gas pipeline between Britain and Ireland, alongside an anti-submarine helicopter and a British submarine. This is one of several operations where Russian submarines have accompanied the Yantar near the British Isles, prompting concern about increased Russian incursions into UK waters. The UK is responding with increased defense spending and advanced anti-submarine technology as part of its Atlantic Bastion program.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood