Last week German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was "on the same page" as Donald Trump over the somewhat ambiguous goals of the Iran war, but after realizing the serious economic and security impacts were on his country and the EU, he made an abrupt U-turn: "Germany is not a party to this war, and we do not want to become one," Merz declared. "And in that regard, all our efforts are focused on ending the war."
Economic Reality Settles In
Donald Trump says it would be "very bad for the future of Nato" if allies don't help secure the Strait of Hormuz - a critical waterway for global oil shipping. Aboard Air Force One, Trump also says he is speaking to "about seven" countries about "policing" the strait, adding that he "will remember" if they do not help Read more
In the West Bank, the IDF killed Ali Khaled Bani Odeh (37); his wife Waad Othman Bani Odeh (35); their son Othman (7) who reportedly had special needs and was blind; and son Mohammed (5). Two other children, Mustafa (8) and Khaled (11), were wounded. The family was driving home after holiday shopping. The IDF alleged that this father, who had his wife and four children in the vehicle with him, accelerated towards soldiers at a checkpoint who then opened fire on the defenseless family. An IDF soldier quipped afterwards: "We killed some dogs."
Litany of IDF War Crimes
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative policy group that was involved in the development of the Republican agenda for the second Trump presidency, Project 2025, published a report on Jan. 8 aimed at reshaping U.S. family policy.
"As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war against the people in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Iran, repels more liberal Americans, many Democrats who consider themselves strong supporters of Israel have felt out of sync and uncomfortable."
Democrats Finally Waking Up to AIPAC
A new study of esports gamers has found that sparkling water could be better than still water if you want to maintain concentration and alertness over long sessions at a desk.
The conflict with Iran rages on for the United States, and now people across the country are beginning to sound off about wanting regime change in the Islamic Republic. On Sunday, rallies were held in New York City by advocacy groups calling for freedom for the Iranian people and the release of political prisoners. Organizers say the gatherings were intended not only to support Iranians fighting for basic rights and liberties, but also to show backing for the American and Israeli military actions against Iran that began more than two weeks ago.
President Donald Trump said Iran is ready to make a deal to end the war but the US wants better terms, signaling no letup in a conflict that's brought shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill and upended energy markets.
Taiwan saw a surge of Chinese military planes near the island, its defense ministry said Sunday, after a sharp drop in flights over the past two weeks had sparked discussions among observers. The ministry detected 26 Chinese military aircraft around the island on Saturday, with 16 of them entering its northern, central and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone. Seven naval ships were spotted around the island, it reported.
The Senate has passed a sweeping piece of housing legislation that seeks to bolster the U.S. housing supply and lower costs for home-buyers in an overwhelming bipartisan vote.
Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who coauthored the Senate housing bill, celebrated its passage in the upper chamber on Thursday.
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will boost housing supply and bring down costs," said Warren in a statement.
European allies broadly support building closer ties to China -- and believe America's role as a global superpower is fading.
In a significant victory for the government, jurors convicted eight defendants on material support for terrorism charges for wearing black clothes to the late-night demonstration.
That use of "black bloc" clothing was an antifa tactic that assisted in the shooting of the officer, prosecutors said during their closing arguments Read more
An Afghan man who fought with U.S. forces and was legally evacuated to the U.S. after the fall of Kabul died this week within a day of being arrested by federal immigration officers in Texas, according to his family. The reported death would be at least the 24th in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody this fiscal year, which began in October. The administration is on track for the deadliest year in ICE detention in more than two decades. Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, was preparing to drive his kids to school in the Dallas area on Friday when agents in unmarked vehicles allegedly surrounded him and arrested him in front of his children. Later that day, the former Afghan special forces soldier contacted family members from ICE custody to say he wasn't feeling well, they said. Around 11:45pm on Friday night, he was allegedly admitted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Around noon the following day, family members said they were informed he had died.
Iranians have been helping Israel target street level security forces Read more
Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. Read more
"Florida lawmakers this week approved legislation to prohibit local governments from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, sending the measure to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis Locally elected officials who violate the bill may be removed from office, and local governments found in violation could face lawsuits from any resident who chooses to sue"
