“Russian forces captured two villages … one in Kharkiv region in the northeast [of Ukraine] and one in [the formerly Ukrainian] eastern Donetsk region, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Sunday. Donetsk region is where Moscow is concentrating most of its efforts to seize two cities. Russian forces, making steady progress across Donetsk region, are moving on the towns of Pokrovsk, a logistics centre and site of an important coking colliery, and appear to be closing in on Kurakhove, farther south.” (12/23/24)
“Asma al-Assad, the wife of deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, has filed for divorce in a Russian court and is seeking special permission to leave Moscow. Reports indicate that Asma is dissatisfied with her life in exile and is eager to return to London in the United Kingdom, where she holds dual citizenship. Bashar-al-Assad’s wife, Asma’s application for permission to leave is currently under evaluation by Russian authorities. Born in London to Syrian parents, Asma moved to Syria in 2000 at the age of 25 and married Bashar al-Assad shortly thereafter.” (12/23/24)
“The five-day strike against Starbucks reached nine states on Sunday, according to its union. The Starbucks Workers United said union workers in Missouri, New Jersey and New York began their strike Sunday after locations in Colorado, Ohio and Pennsylvania joined the strike Saturday. Workers United represents more than 10,000 workers at over 525 stores. A Starbucks Workers United spokesperson told CNN 30 stores nationwide were closed completely but it’s too early to know the total numbers for Sunday. The union has said the strike could reach ‘hundreds of stores’ by Tuesday, a small portion of Starbucks’ more than 10,000 company-operated stores with more than 200,000 employees.” (12/22/24)
“US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed British TV executive Mark Burnett, who produced him on The Apprentice, as his special envoy to the UK. Trump said it was his ‘great honour’ to pick his former colleague for the role, which is separate to the position of US ambassador to the UK. ‘Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges,’ he added. Burnett said in a statement: ‘I am truly honoured to serve The United States of America and President Trump as his Special Envoy to the United Kingdom.’ He created The Apprentice and produced it along with a range of other reality TV programmes, winning 13 Emmy Awards.” (12/22/24)
“The Food and Drug Administration has restricted a psychoactive mushroom used in some edibles over safety concerns. The regulator warned food manufacturers that Amanita muscaria – more commonly known as the fly agaric – and the compounds it contains are not authorized to use in food. It is listed as an active ingredient in some mushroom edibles. Unlike psilocybin, a naturally occurring ingredient found in so-called ‘magic mushrooms’ which is illegal under federal law (though decriminalized in some states), the red-and-white-spotted mushroom is not illegal. However, the FDA is prohibiting three compounds in the mushroom: muscimol, ibotenic acid and muscarine.” (12/21/24)
“Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of US President-elect Donald Trump, has withdrawn her name from consideration for a seat in the Senate. She stepped down this month as co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), fuelling speculation that she might replace outgoing Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, whom Trump has nominated for secretary of state. But in a post on X, she said she had removed herself from consideration ‘after an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many.’ She said she wished Florida Governor Ron DeSantis luck in hand-picking a replacement to serve out the remainder of Rubio’s six-year term, which ends in 2026.” (12/22/24)
“Pope Francis called for a ceasefire on all war fronts in his Sunday Angelus prayer ahead of Christmas, condemning the ‘cruelty’ of bombing schools and hospitals in Ukraine and Gaza. ‘Let the weapons fall silent and let the Christmas carols ring out!’ Francis said, delivering his Sunday blessing from indoors due to a cold and as a precaution ahead of a busy Christmas period. ‘Let us pray that at Christmas there will be a ceasefire on all war fronts, in Ukraine, in the Holy Land, throughout the Middle East and throughout the world,’ the pope said.” (12/22/24)
“Talk about a ruff flight. A Delta passenger was barking mad after being forced to give up their plush first class seat for a fellow traveler — and downright furious to discover that the lucky VIP was a dog. ‘I got upgraded to first this morning, only to 15 mins later get downgraded (to a worst seat than I previously had). I asked the desk agent what was going on and she said ‘something changed.’ Okay, fine, I am disgruntled but whatever, I then board only to see this dog in my first class seat … And now I’m livid,’ Redditor @ben_bob explained in a post on the Delta Air Lines Reddit that showed the unwitting animal occupying the space that was supposed to be his.” (12/21/24)
“Authorities say a man was shot and killed after driving his vehicle through a mall in Texas, injuring multiple people Saturday night. Texas DPS Sgt. Bryan Washko said the suspect drove through the front doors of JCPenney at the Killeen mall, running over multiple people in the process. ‘The trooper and Killeen police officer continued on foot after the vehicle which was driving through the store running people over,’ Washko said. ‘He traveled several hundred yards.’ Four people were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe and a fifth person took themselves to the hospital, according to police.” (12/22/24)
“Albania’s prime minister has announced the government intends to block access to TikTok for one year after the killing of a schoolboy last month raised fears about the influence of social media on children. Speaking on Saturday Edi Rama declared the proposed ban would start in January. TikTok said it is seeking urgent clarifications from the Albanian government about the proposed ban. The social media platform told the BBC it had found no evidence the person who allegedly stabbed the 14-year-old boy, or the victim himself, had TikTok accounts. During a meeting in Albania’s capital Tirana with teachers, parents and psychologists Rama branded TikTok as ‘the thug of the neighbourhood’. ‘We are going to close it for a year and we are going to start rolling out programs that will serve the education of students and help parents follow their children’s journey,’ Rama said.” (12/21/24)
