Recent NYC Subway Burning Murder Highlights Safety Concerns

The horrific murder of Debrina Kawam, a New Jersey woman, on the New York City subway has reignited safety concerns for NYC residents and visitors. On December 22, 2024, a woman was fatally set on fire while sleeping on an F train in Brooklyn. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan migrant residing illegally, was charged with murder and arson.

The attack, along with other recent violent crimes, has heightened fears among riders despite increased security measures. Governor Hochul deployed additional National Guard members and installed cameras in subway cars, yet many New Yorkers remain skeptical about their safety on public transportation.

 

H-1B Visa Debate Exposes Division in Conservative Ranks

A heated debate over H-1B visas has emerged among conservatives, highlighting tensions between right-leaning tech industry advocates and "America First" supporters within President-elect Donald Trump's base. The controversy has been particularly visible on social media, where figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both Trump advisers, have faced backlash for supporting the visa program. Musk has emphasized what he calls a "permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent" in the U.S., while in an X post Ramaswamy criticized American culture for prioritizing mediocrity over excellence, suggesting a need for foreign tech talent.

This stance has sparked the ire of other osn the right,  many of whom view the H1-B program as undercutting wages of American citizens through. Opponents of the program have posted screenshots of H-1B jobs, many of which have listed salaries close to the American median or even below.

As this debate unfolds, it may pose a significant challenges for Trump as he navigates between the GOP’s newfound tech industry support and the expectations of his broader voter base.

 

Former US President Jimmy Carter dies at 100

Former US President James Early "Jimmy" Carter dies Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter, who had been in hospice care since February 2023, turned 100 in October of this year. 

Jimmy Carter, the 39th 
president of the United States,
died Sunday at 100

Carter was born on October 1, 1924 in Plains, Georgia, the eldest son of businessman James Earl Carter, Sr. and his wife Lilian. Graduating from Plains High School in 1941, he attended college at Georgia Southwestern College and Georgia Tech before being nominated to attend the US Naval Academy in 1943, graduating in 1946. During this time he fell in love with his future wife, Rosalynn Smith, and married her in 1946. 

Carter served as an active duty naval officer until 1953, focusing on the use of nuclear technology in the Navy. He moved back to Plains after the death of his father and became a successful agricultural businessman.

Carter turned to politics in the 1960s as a staunch opponent of segregation, first serving a s Sumter County school board member and then Georgia state senator. He first ran for governor in 1966, losing in the Democratic primary. He ran again in 1970, winning the primary and the general to become Georgia's 76th governor. During his term as governor, he focused on integration efforts, civil rights issues, and reforming government hiring practices. 

Prohibited from running for a second term under the term limits in place at the time, he announced presidential campaign in 1974. Running an energetic, ubiquitous primary campaign, he won the Democratic nomination, and benefitting from the fatigue of Watergate, narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Gerald Ford in the general.

His presidency, initially marked by optimism, faced major challenges, including high inflation combined with sluggish economic growth (stagflation), the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Iranian Islamist revolution resulting in the American embassy worker hostage crisis. He appointed Paul Volcker as Federal Reserve chairman, who is often credited for helping to end the high inflation of the era, though this relief came after Carter's presidency had ended.

Carter's achievements included the Camp David Accords that established relations between Israel and Egypt, signing the SALT II nuclear arms reduction treaty with the Soviet Union, and deregulating the airline industry.

Carter, facing low approval ratings, lost reelection in 1980 to former California Governor Ronald Reagan. Carter then started the longest post-presidency in American history, lasting nearly 44 years. He returned home to Plains, notably leading a Sunday School class at his church. Carter devoted his post-presidency to several causes, including disease eradication, building homes as part of Habitat for Humanity, and promoting democratic reforms in countries across the world. For his diplomatic and human rights work, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. 

Carter's Nobel Prize on display the Carter Presidential
Library and Museum in Atlanta, GA

Carter survived several health challenges, including metastatic melanoma in 2015 and a broken hip in 2019. 

In 2023, he decided to go into hospice care rather than continue receiving curative treatment for an unspecified disease. Rosalynn, who had been diagnosed earlier with dementia, died in 2023. Carter attended her funeral in his first public appearance since entering hospice.

In 2024, Carter celebrated his 100th birthday and supported Kamala Harris for president in the presidential race. 

Carter was the longest lived president in US history. 

Upon news of Carter's death, all living former presidents issued statements marking his passing, praising his attitude of public service and his productive post-presidency. President Joe Biden, an early endorser of Carter's 1976 campaign, praised Carter in a statement and said Carter will receive a state funeral. 

Assad Regime Faces Collapse as Rebels Take Damascus

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime faces rapid collapse as opposition forces have reportedly taken control of the country's capital Damascus. Assad's whereabouts are unknown, though a plane that was purportedly carrying the president appears to have crashed near the city of Homs. 

This latest offensive started late November following the ceasefire that had largely held since 2020. The swift fall of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, on November 29, 2024, caught many by surprise, especially with Assad's forces putting up little resistance. The main opposition force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and its allied factions capitalized on a weakened Syrian military. Rebel forces swiftly moved south, capturing Hama by December 5. By the 7th, they had entered Homs, effectively cutting off the regime's control over the crucial M5 highway that connects Damascus to the north.

Simultaneously, in the south, opposition groups, including those in the newly formed Southern Operations Room and Al-Jabal Brigade, took control of Daraa and Suwayda, further isolating Damascus. The speed of these offensives suggests a significant breakdown in Assad's military structure due to a combination of factors including low morale, economic collapse, and lack of support from key allies like Russia and Iran, who have been distracted by conflicts in Ukraine and Lebanon respectively.

Regime forces remain in control for now of the country's west coast, including Assad's stronghold of Latakia. This area hosts two Russian military bases, with reports that Russia has begun evacuations. 

How Did Assad's Regime Fall?

Since the Idlib ceasefire in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Assad's regime, has faced increasing economic challenges, with the Syrian pound losing value dramatically against the US dollar, exacerbating the already dire living conditions for millions of Syrians trying to recover from years of fierce fighting.

Despite occasional flare-ups, the frontlines were largely static until mid-2024. The Assad regime relied heavily on its allies Russian Iran, but both now face competing priorities: Russia with its ongoing war in Ukraine and Iran with its proxy conflicts, especially with Israel, which targeted Hezbollah, a key ally of Assad in Syria.

The widespread poverty and dissatisfaction with the Assad regime set the backdrop for the sudden rebel offensive in late November 2024, which exploited the weakened state of the regime's forces, leading to the capture of Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and parts of the south in a matter of days.

This article was written with AI assistance.

 

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Trump Rounds Out His Administration, Threatens New Tariffs

President-elect Donald Trump has largely filled major administration positions after his victory over Kamala Harris earlier this month.

Major picks include Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state, Army National Guard major and political commentator Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as treasury secretary, and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as attorney general (replacing the withdrawn nominee Matt Gaetz).

Susie Wiles, his co-campaign manager and daughter of sportscasting legend Paul Summerall, will become his chief of staff, the first woman to hold that position.

On the policy front, Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, intending to implement a 25% tariff on all goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, on top of existing tariffs. These sweeping measures would affect a wide range of products, potentially impacting automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer goods.

Trump has stated that these tariffs will remain in place until certain conditions are met. For Canada and Mexico, the tariffs would be lifted when the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States is controlled. For China, the country would need to halt the export of illegal drugs to the US before the additional tariff would be removed.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has visited Mar-a-Lago in an effort to begin talks with Trump prior to the tariff implementation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a more aggressive approach, threatening retaliatory tariffs and blaming American drug consumption for the opioid crisis.

 

GOP Achieves Narrow House Majority

Republicans have won 220 seats in the US House of Representatives, two more needed to win the majority. One California seat remains too close to call, with the Democratic challenger leading the GOP incumbent by nearly 200 votes as of November 30. A GOP victory in the seat would bring the Republicans to 221 seats, one less than their majority after the 2022 midterm elections.

While the Republican majority will be narrow and will make passing President-elect Trump’s agenda more difficult, it remains a welcome development for the GOP given most election prognosticators predicting a Democratic majority in the House. Republicans managed to offset losses in New York (partially through redistricting), California, and Oregon through picking up seats in North Carolina (largely through redistricting), Pennsylvania, Michigan, Alaska, and Colorado.

The narrow majority may make Speaker Mike Johnson’s political calculus more difficult given Trump’s poaching of Elise Stefanik, Michael Waltz, and Matt Gaetz (since withdrawn but not returning to House) for his administration. With the three resignations, the House majority becomes 220-213.

 

Syrian Rebels Enter Aleppo in First Major Offensive in Years

Syrian rebel forces captured parts of Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, in the first major offensive since 2020. Pro-government forces reportedly put up little substantive opposition as rebel forces advanced towards Aleppo.

Neither side has sought to make large scale advances since the 2020 ceasefire agreement. The Syrian government’s major allies, Iran (through their proxy Hezbollah) and Russia, have since been bogged down by their own conflicts in Lebanon and Ukraine respectively, creating an opening for rebel forces to begin a large scale offensive.

 

Trump Poised to Regain Presidency After Clinching 270 Votes

Former President Donald Trump is projected by Decision Desk HQ to win the 2024 presidential election, defeating his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris. As of 12:30 AM CST, Trump is projected to win Georgia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, giving him the 270 electoral votes needed to win. He is also leading in Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

Harris Campaign Co-Chair Cedric Richmond told the crowd at Harris's election night party at Howard University that Harris would not be addressing the crowd this night and for them to return home.

Trump meanwhile is heading towards his election night watch party in Palm Beach, Florida. He was previously at Mar-a-Lago watching election results.

Trump, Harris Making Closing Arguments Ahead of Nov. 5

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are making last minute appeals to get their supporters to the polls as election day approaches. Both candidates are effectively tied nationwide and in seven key swing states, though Trump has an advantage in the polling aggregate nationwide and in 5 of the 7 states, according to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregate as of October 30th.

Both recently held what could be considered capstone rallies, with Trump holding his at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan and Harris at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. In both rallies, the candidates largely reiterated their familiar campaign talking points. Trump’s focused his on combatting illegal immigration along with his proposals to eliminate taxes on taxes on tips, overtime, and social security benefits. Harris focused hers on protecting abortion rights and fighting against what she sees as threats to democracy emanating from Trump’s actions and rhetoric, particularly after the 2020 election.

Betting markets as of October 30th place Trump as the slight favorite to win the election, with a Trump victory paying out approximately 65 cents to a Harris victory’s approximate 35 cents.

 

Southeast Reels from Hurricanes: Helene and Milton’s Devastation

The US Southeast continues to face significant challenges in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck in rapid succession in late September and early October. Hurricane Helene resulted in over 200 fatalities, marking it as the deadliest mainland US hurricane since Katrina. Hurricane Milton, while having a lower death toll at 35, virtually ties Helene for total damages, making the combined damages from both hurricanes estimated at just under $175 billion.

In response, the federal government has approved nearly $2 billion in aid for six affected states, and FEMA has deployed over 1,400 personnel to assist with recovery efforts. State governments have also mobilized National Guard units and established emergency hotlines to support residents.

As communities begin the arduous process of rebuilding, many residents remain without power or running water. Despite these hardships, there are stories of resilience and solidarity. In devastated western North Carolina, volunteers are using mules to deliver supplies to remote areas as restoration contractors work tirelessly to repair homes and businesses.

 

Japanese Ruling Party Loses Coalition Majority

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost its conservative coalition majority in the snap election this past weekend, losing ground to its center-left rival, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP). The LDP has dominated post-war Japanese politics and has been in power since 2009. Recent corruption scandals have tainted the party’s image, possibly contributing to this weekend’s defeat.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has said he will seek to integrate policy proposals from opposition parties in an attempt to retain power for the LDP, though opposition parties have so far ruled out a coalition with the LDP.

 

Hurricane Milton Intensifies, Threatens Florida's West Coast

Latest projected path of Milton from NOAA and
the National Weather Service

Hurricane Milton, currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico, is rapidly intensifying and poses a significant threat to Florida's west coast. The storm, which formed on Saturday, is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall midweek.

As of Sunday morning, Hurricane Milton was located more than 800 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane. The storm is moving eastward at 6 mph and is forecast to continue on this general path before turning northeast towards Florida.

The National Hurricane Center predicts that Milton could become a Category 4 hurricane with winds of up to 140 mph as it approaches the Florida Peninsula. However, there is still uncertainty in the forecast, with some models suggesting the storm could reach Category 5 strength. The primary threats from Hurricane Milton include life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and torrential rainfall. Forecasters warn that certain areas could receive up to a foot of rain by Wednesday night, leading to potential flooding of waterways and streets. Storm surge and wind impacts are expected to begin as early as late Tuesday or Wednesday along Florida's west coast.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, many of which are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which struck the state less than two weeks ago. Mandatory evacuations are already in place in some parts of the state, and officials are urging residents to finalize their storm preparations immediately.

Residents in the potential path of Hurricane Milton are advised to have their hurricane preparedness plans ready and to heed any guidance from local officials. This includes stocking up on essential supplies, securing outdoor items, and being prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so. Some locations are already offering sandbags to residents.

The rapid intensification of Hurricane Milton is particularly concerning given the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the minimal vertical wind shear, conditions that are conducive to strengthening. These same conditions led to the explosive growth of Helene just two weeks ago. The National Hurricane Center emphasizes that regardless of the exact strength at landfall, there is growing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week.

Hurricane and storm surge watches are expected to be issued for portions of the Florida coastline by Sunday. Residents throughout Florida, as well as in the Florida Keys and northwestern Bahamas, are urged to stay informed about the storm's progress and be prepared to take action if necessary.

This article was written with the help of AI.

Jimmy Carter Turns 100

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, has reached a significant milestone by becoming the first former American president to turn 100. His centennial birthday, celebrated on October 1, 2024, marks a historic achievement for the former peanut farmer from Georgia who rose to global prominence as a world leader during the penultimate decade of the Cold War. 

While Carter is the first former president to reach this milestone, he joins a small club of centenarians in U.S. politics. Alf Landon, the 1936 Republican presidential nominee, also lived to be 100, but Carter's longevity as a former commander-in-chief stands alone in the nation’s history.

In 2015, at age 91, he was diagnosed with melanoma, which had spread to his brain, which he successfully beat. In November 2023, Rosalynn, his beloved wife of 77 years, passed away at the age of 96. Their union remains the longest marriage of any presidential couple in U.S. history. For the past 19 months, Carter has been receiving hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, but has continued to defy the odds, culminating in his centennial celebration this month. 

As Jimmy Carter celebrates his centennial, his life serves as a beacon of resilience, service, and leadership, with an enduring legacy that has touched millions across the world as a result of his post-presidency service. 

Hurricane Helene Leaves Destruction Across US Southeast

Hurricane Helene, the first major hurricane to strike the US this year, left billions of dollars in damage and dozens dead across the US Southeast. The fast-moving, large storm made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region as a category 4 storm before quickly moving into Georgia, snapping trees and damaging buildings with its high winds. Coastal cities like Cedar Key, Florida, were inundated with record-high storm surge, destroying many buildings not built on stilts. The surge in Tampa, hundreds of miles away from where the storm made landfall, also exceeded the surge from Idalia back in 2023.

The storm quickly moved north, dumping torrential rainfall in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Dams in North Carolina nearly reached their breaking point as flood waters moved into population centers, with the city of Asheville, North Carolina becoming isolated from surrounding areas by floodwaters. Videos have shown houses floating away after they were swept off their foundations. One town, Chimney Rock, was nearly completely wiped away by flooding.

Helene, the second major Atlantic hurricane of this season, quickly intensified from a tropical storm in the western Caribbean, dumping rain on eastern Cuba and on the Yucatan Peninsula. The warm ocean waters of the western Caribbean and eastern Gulf of Mexico allowed the storm’s windspeeds to reach 140 mph at landfall, and the storm’s large size allowed it to move high storm surge into a wide area.

Another group of storms is developing close to where Helene first formed in the western Caribbean and may form into another storm this week. Its exact track is still unknown.

 

Harris Slightly Ahead of Trump Nationally as Campaign Enters Final Stretch

Vice President Kamala Harris continues to hold a narrow but steady lead over former President Donald Trump in the RealClearPolitics polling average, edging Trump by 2 points nationally. Trump and Harris are essentially tied in the battleground states that will determine the election, with Trump slightly ahead in Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina. If Trump wins all three states, he only needs to win in Pennsylvania to beat Harris, where Harris holds a very slight lead in polling. Harris has small but slightly larger leads in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada.

Harris also picked up some polling momentum after the ABC News presidential debate, with Trump’s performance criticized as unfocused. Trump in turn criticized the debate moderators for only factchecking him and not Harris for untrue statements.

Vice presidential candidates Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance will meet this Thursday for the vice presidential debate hosted by CBS.

Harris has led Trump in fundraising since Biden’s July withdrawal from the race, raising over $540 million. In August, the DNC and Harris campaign raised $257 million to the RNC and Trump’s $85 million.

 

Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Killed in Israeli Airstrike

Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanese group Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike this past week, a culmination of Israeli efforts to destroy Hezbollah’s leadership. Nasrallah had led the group since 1992.

Hezbollah, considered Israel’s most potent non-state opponent, has been firing rockets into Northern Israel for years and has ramped up the attacks since Israel launched its offensive into Gaza following the October 7th attack. Israel’s airstrikes came after it successfully detonated pagers and handheld radios used by Hezbollah operatives.

 

US Tops Medal Table, Ties with China for Gold at Paris Games

The United States topping the medal table for the eighth consecutive Olympics Games. Team USA finished with an impressive 126 total medals, including 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze. China closely followed with 91 total medals, also securing 40 golds. Great Britain rounded out the top three with 65 medals overall.

Several memorable moments defined these Games,, with the U.S. women's basketball team clinching their eighth straight gold medal in a thrilling 67-66 victory over host nation France. Simone Biles made a triumphant return to gymnastics, securing three gold medals and one silver. In the pool, Katie Ledecky continued her dominance with two golds, a silver, and a bronze.

The Games also saw first-ever medals for Cape Verde, Dominica, St. Lucia, Albania, and the Refugee Olympic Team.

Looking ahead, the Olympic torch will next travel to Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Summer Games will then return to the United States, with Los Angeles set to host for the third time, following previous editions in 1932 and 1984.