French marine archaeologists have uncovered a significant undersea wall off the coast of Brittany, dating back to approximately 5,000 BC. This 120-meter structure, potentially a fish trap or a dyke, is composed of a foundation of monoliths with a wall built around them, suggesting the work of a settled society. The wall’s discovery, made possible by modern radar technology, has led researchers to theorize that its submergence may be the origin of local legends about sunken cities. Furthermore, its construction predates similar structures, hinting at a potential transfer of stone-working knowledge between ancient populations.
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During a December 11th hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced questioning regarding the deportation of U.S. military veterans. Representative Seth Magaziner specifically challenged Noem on the deportation of Sae Joon Park, a Purple Heart recipient, who was deported to Korea despite having served in the U.S. Army and struggling with PTSD. Magaziner accused Noem of lacking the ability to distinguish between deserving veterans and those who pose a threat. Noem stated she would review Park’s case but maintained that all laws must be enforced.
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The Guyana Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has condemned the illegal use of the country’s flag after a U.S. seizure of an oil tanker falsely claiming Guyanese registration. The U.S. authorities informed Guyana about the interception of the Motor Tanker SKIPPER, which was operating under Guyana’s flag despite not being registered there. MARAD is collaborating with international partners to address the unauthorized use of its flag, noting the concerning trend of vessels fraudulently operating under it. The U.S. seized the sanctioned tanker for its involvement in an illicit oil-shipping network, while Venezuela has condemned the action as theft.
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Alison Murray and her team were preparing to conduct research in Antarctica. Their research focused on sea squirts, a type of invertebrate found on the seafloor, to further investigate a promising molecule. The molecule, produced by a microbe living within the sea squirts, holds potential in combating skin cancer. This upcoming expedition was intended to build on previous findings and advance understanding of this exciting area of study.
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The European Union has agreed to indefinitely immobilize the Russian Central Bank’s assets held within its jurisdiction. This action, taken under Article 122, aims to prevent the transfer of €210 billion and safeguard against potential economic damage. The EU’s move also seeks to protect these funds from being used by other nations, such as the United States, in a future settlement. This long-term ban is a crucial component of the EU’s proposal for a reparations loan to Ukraine, though Belgium has raised concerns and set forth three key conditions for its approval. These include full risk mutualization, liquidity safeguards for Euroclear, and complete burden-sharing among member states.
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The recent seizure of an oil tanker in the Caribbean by US forces, sanctioned since 2022 for allegedly smuggling Iranian oil, has sparked controversy. The US Treasury has linked the vessel to a network led by Viktor Artemov, with connections to Hezbollah and Iran’s IRGC-QF, and implicated in transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil. This seizure, occurring amidst increased US naval presence in the region, has been condemned by Venezuela and prompted a show of solidarity from Russia. The tanker’s operation is characteristic of shadow fleets, employing tactics like shell companies and flag changes to evade sanctions, with Iran relying on such vessels to generate oil revenue.
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In a significant rebuke of former President Donald Trump, the Indiana Senate voted down a Republican-drawn congressional map, despite immense pressure from Trump and national Republicans. The vote, with 21 Republicans joining Democrats to oppose the map, defied Trump’s efforts to influence the redistricting process aimed at boosting the party in the upcoming midterm elections. Following the vote, Governor Mike Braun announced his intention to support primary challenges against Republicans who opposed the map. Several state lawmakers who voted against the map reported facing violent threats and harassment, highlighting the intensity of the political battle.
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Following the seizure of a tanker this week, the U.S. is preparing to intercept more ships transporting Venezuelan oil as part of increased pressure on the Maduro regime. The U.S. has assembled a target list of tankers for potential seizure, with further interventions expected in the coming weeks. These actions aim to disrupt Venezuela’s oil exports, which are the main source of revenue for the Venezuelan government, while also targeting ships that may have transported oil from other sanctioned countries like Iran. The U.S. is monitoring tankers and has stated it will continue to enforce sanctions.
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A resolution to impeach former President Donald Trump was tabled by the House on Thursday, with nearly two dozen Democrats joining Republicans to block the effort. The articles of impeachment, introduced by Representative Al Green, accused Trump of abusing presidential power and threatening judicial independence, actions that were widely condemned. While a majority of House Democrats voted against tabling the resolution, Democratic leadership expressed concerns about the lack of investigation and a potential backfire. The outcome reflects the current political climate, where any impeachment effort is unlikely to succeed in the Republican-controlled House and Senate.
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses a statistical model to estimate job creation and loss, which can lead to overstatements in job numbers, often requiring revisions later. According to the article, this method has been known to be inaccurate. Furthermore, the Trump administration has reacted poorly to negative jobs reports, with officials attempting to deflect blame. Considering this, there is potential for the administration to pressure the agency to produce more favorable job numbers.
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John Q. Hosedrinker