MicroWave

Summary

A new AP poll reveals widespread political fatigue among Americans, with two-thirds limiting political media consumption post-Trump’s election.

Viewership on CNN and MSNBC has plummeted, with declines of 35-54%, as many Democrats and independents step away from politics.

In contrast, Fox News has seen a 12% ratings surge, dominating cable news.

The trend mirrors post-election slumps in previous cycles, though the erosion is sharper this year.

Some suggest focusing less on Trump and more on broader issues to re-engage disenchanted audiences.

Summary

Low-income voters who supported Donald Trump are expressing concerns over potential cuts to government benefits as his administration pushes for aggressive spending reductions.

Trump’s newly announced “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is tasked with cutting programs, raising fears about impacts on social safety nets.

Trump also plans to shut down the Education Department, impose tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada, and has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary, signaling a focus on controversial health policies.

Voter anxieties about these shifts are growing.

Non-paywall link

Summary

Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR) reports that North Korean troops supporting Russia in the Kursk region are facing heavy casualties, logistical issues, and water shortages due to Ukrainian strikes.

Ukraine estimates 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded out of the 10,000-12,000 deployed by Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, Russia continues its drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, with recent attacks targeting power infrastructure and civilian areas.

President Putin threatened further use of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, while Ukraine retaliates with strategic strikes on Russian military infrastructure.

Summary

Elon Musk faced backlash from his followers on X after advocating for importing “super talented engineers” to address a shortage in the U.S. tech industry.

Musk likened hiring top foreign talent to building a championship sports team and argues that there is a shortage of talented and motivated American engineers.

Critics argued there’s sufficient U.S. talent being overlooked or underpaid, with some pointing to widespread tech layoffs.

Musk dismissed claims of low wages or training gaps, maintaining a need for exceptional engineering talent to advance innovation.

Summary

Finland is investigating the rupture of the undersea Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia, suspected to be caused by the Russian-linked oil tanker Eagle S.

The tanker, part of Russia's "shadow fleet" used to evade Western oil sanctions, reportedly slowed over the cable’s location before the Christmas Day outage.

Finnish authorities suspect the ship’s anchor caused the damage.

NATO has offered support amid heightened concerns over Baltic infrastructure sabotage following similar incidents with Swedish telecom cables in October. Investigations are ongoing.

Summary

Incoming Trump administration “border czar” Tom Homan announced plans to resume family detentions as part of a crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

Families with children will be held in tent-like facilities, and parents may face the choice of deporting as a family or leaving US-born children behind.

Homan, known for his role in Trump’s first-term family separation policy, also plans to reinstate worksite raids and the “remain in Mexico” program.

Critics warn these policies, ended under Biden, harm children and undermine humanitarian standards.

Summary

Northwest Naturals has issued a voluntary recall of its Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food due to a positive test for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu.

The recall follows the death of a domestic cat linked to the product, raising concerns about potential transmission to humans.

While the risk remains low, health officials advise against consuming raw meat products and limiting contact with sick or dead animals.

Summary

Donald Trump criticized President Biden’s decision to commute the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates, calling them “violent criminals” and wishing them to go to hell.

Trump also took the opportunity to sarcastically wish a “Merry Christmas” to Chinese troops in the Panama Canal and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump’s post also included references to his previous attempts to purchase Greenland and his suggestion that Wayne Gretzky run for Canadian Prime Minister.

Summary

An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 of 67 onboard, with 29 survivors.

The plane was diverted due to fog en route to Grozny, Chechnya, before crashing 1.9 miles from the runway.

Speculation suggests a Russian air defense missile may have caused the crash amid heightened regional tensions.

Aviation analysts cite shrapnel patterns as evidence of a missile strike.

Summary

An Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Christmas Day, killing 38 and injuring 29.

The flight from Baku to Grozny veered off course before crashing, and speculation centers on Russian air defenses, which may have mistaken the plane for a Ukrainian drone.

Wreckage showed damage resembling shrapnel, and GPS jamming—previously linked to Russia—was reported in the area.

Chechnya faced drone attacks shortly before the crash, heightening suspicion of a misfire.

Summary

Over 10,000 migrants died in 2024 trying to reach Spain by sea, primarily via the perilous Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, according to Caminando Fronteras.

This marks a 58% increase in deaths from last year, with children and women comprising a significant portion of the victims.

Most boats departed from Mauritania, now the main launch point.

Spain has invested €210M to curb human smuggling in the region. Despite these efforts, over 57,700 migrants successfully reached Spain this year, a 12% rise from 2023.

Summary

Commemorations marked the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed around 230,000 people across 12 countries.

In Indonesia’s Aceh province, survivors prayed at mass graves, remembering the 170,000 victims lost there. Rebuilt infrastructure and early warning systems reflect recovery efforts supported by international donors.

Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka also held ceremonies, with survivors mourning deeply personal losses.

In Sri Lanka, memorials honored victims of the “Queen of the Sea” train disaster, while India’s Tamil Nadu residents performed traditional tributes.