Minnesota's welfare state faces alleged Somali daycare fraud. Trump administration pauses federal funding. SBA halts grants over fraud investigation. State officials dispute video fraud claims.
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The welfare fraud investigation in Minnesota has expanded beyond a $1 billion scandal to uncover systemic abuse of federal loan programs, leading to a halt in payments to recipients. Close allies of Governor Tim Walz were involved in distributing taxpayer dollars to Somali-run daycares, which are at the center of a potential fraud scandal. The Small Business Administration is pausing funding to Minnesota to investigate $430 million in suspected PPP fraud. Federal authorities are intensifying investigations following a viral documentary exposing alleged fraud in Somali daycares, while Minnesota officials deny the allegations.
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LOEFFLER: Vast network of Somali nonprofits ripped off Minnesota’s welfare statewww.foxnews.com
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Walz allies led state agencies that oversaw massive alleged Somali daycare fraudwww.washingtonexaminer.com
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Trump admin pausing some federal funding to Minnesota amid fraud scandalsnypost.com
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Opinion | Walz and Minnesota’s Fraud Problemwww.wsj.com
Russian official threatens Zelenskyy over alleged attack on Putin's residence. Trump and Netanyahu praise each other despite Gaza differences. Zelenskyy optimistic about peace deal after meeting with Trump. Trump aims for quick progress on Gaza ceasefire.
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- A Russian security official threatened Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
- Ukraine denied Russia's claim of a drone strike on Putin's residence
- American and Israeli leaders showed unity despite strains over Gaza and Syria
- Zelenskyy says peace talks with Russia are close but territorial disputes remain
- US president warns Hamas of consequences if it does not disarm
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Russian official threatens Zelenskyy as Moscow claims Kyiv attacked Putin residenceabcnews.go.com
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Ukraine denies attacking Putin's residence with droneswww.cnbc.com
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Trump and Netanyahu Praise Each Other After Meeting, Despite Differences Over Gazawww.nytimes.com
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Zelenskyy says peace deal is close after Trump meeting but territory remains sticking pointwww.foxnews.com
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Trump hopes to reach phase two of Gaza ceasefire 'very quickly'www.bbc.com
China criticizes US arms sale to Taiwan as it conducts military drills, including blockading exercises. Tensions rise as China surrounds Taiwan with warships and fighter jets in large-scale drills.
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China has launched its largest military drills ever around Taiwan in response to a record U.S. military sale to the island nation. The People's Liberation Army is conducting a live-fire exercise dubbed "Justice Mission 2025" in the Taiwan Strait, involving the army, navy, and air force. Tensions have escalated between China and its West-aligned neighbors, with Japan's prime minister stating that its military could intervene if China were to take action against Taiwan.
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China's top diplomat blasts US arms sale to Taiwan as military drills unfoldabcnews.go.com
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With Live Artillery and New Warships, China Practices Blockading Taiwanwww.nytimes.com
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Chinese military launches ‘Justice Mission’ around Taiwan as regional tensions mountwww.washingtonexaminer.com
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China surrounds Taiwan with warships, fighter jets in largest military drills on recordwww.foxnews.com
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Chinese military stages drills around Taiwan to warn 'external forces'www.npr.org
China's EV market in 2026 faces challenges amid global expansion. Electric vehicles had a mixed performance in 2025.
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Analysts forecast a significant slowdown in China's electric car market growth due to the reversal of pro-electric vehicle federal policies, discontinuation of popular vehicles, and plummeting sales. Despite these challenges, interest in electric vehicles remains steady.
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China EVs in 2026 look less like a boom and more like a survival test as global expansion ramps upwww.cnbc.com
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Electric vehicles had a bumpy road in 2025 — and one pleasant surprisewww.npr.org
European markets open flat to higher as 2025 ends, while Asia-Pacific markets open mostly lower on the penultimate day. Trading week begins mixed.
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European stocks are anticipated to open flat on Tuesday amidst a lack of clear market direction during the holiday-shortened trading week. Investor attention will be on China's military exercises near Taiwan following recent drills announced on Monday. Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei 225 index is expected to open higher based on futures trading in Chicago.
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European markets set to open flat to higher as 2025 draws to a closewww.cnbc.com
CIA drone strike in Venezuela targets port, killing 2. US military kills 2 narco-terrorists in Pacific operation. Trump pressures Venezuela.
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Last week, the U.S. conducted its first known operation inside Venezuela, targeting a dock allegedly used for shipping narcotics. The attack, which was the 30th announced by the U.S. military since early September, resulted in the killing of two narco-terrorists in international waters on December 29. President Trump had mentioned the strike a few days prior, stating it was related to drugs and Venezuela.
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C.I.A. Conducted Drone Strike on Port in Venezuelawww.nytimes.com
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U.S. Kills 2 in Strike in Pacific, as Trump Pressures Venezuelawww.nytimes.com
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US military kills 2 narco-terrorists in Eastern Pacific strike operation targeting vesselwww.foxnews.com
Swimmer found dead with shark-deterrent band on ankle in California after possible shark attack. Body discovered in Santa Cruz County.
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Rescue teams recovered the body of Erica Fox, who went missing from Monterey Bay, after an intensive search that lasted six days. The discovery was made near where a swimmer, who may have been attacked by a shark, disappeared last week. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, which involves a recent shark attack and the disappearance of Erica Fox near Lover's Point in Pacific Grove.
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Swimmer believed to be victim of shark is found dead, a shark-deterrent band around her anklewww.latimes.com
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Body discovered after swimmer went missing in possible shark attack in Californiaabcnews.go.com
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Body found on beach in Santa Cruz County north of site where shark was spotted, officials saywww.latimes.com
LAPD requests court order to seal Rob and Michele Reiner's death reports, blocking autopsy findings' release.
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The Los Angeles court has sealed the death reports of Rob and Michele Reiner after the Medical Examiner had already disclosed the cause of death to the public. The decision was made by a Superior Court judge in response to a request from law enforcement to prevent the release of the autopsy reports.
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Rob and Michele Reiner death reports suddenly sealed in mystery court order requested by LAPDwww.foxnews.com
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Judge blocks release of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner autopsy findingswww.latimes.com
US man charged for fatally shooting woman blocks away during backyard target practice. Pennsylvania man charged for killing mother, wounding father after Christmas. Oklahoma woman killed by stray bullet during Christmas target practice.
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Multiple incidents involving gun violence occurred around Christmas time. In Pennsylvania, a man was charged for shooting his parents, resulting in his mother's death and his father's injury. In Oklahoma, a man accidentally shot and killed a woman while practicing shooting at an energy drink can with a newly purchased handgun on Christmas Day.
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US man charged after shooting practice in backyard allegedly kills woman blocks awaywww.bbc.com
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Pennsylvania man charged after killing mother, wounding father after Christmaswww.foxnews.com
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Man Charged in Fatal Shooting During Backyard Target Practicewww.nytimes.com
NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin's father dies, mother injured in house fire at North Carolina home.
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A fire at the home of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin's parents resulted in his father's death and his mother being injured. The incident occurred at a North Carolina home connected to the NASCAR star on Sunday night.
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NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin's father killed, mother injured in house fireabcnews.go.com
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Deadly fire occurs at North Carolina home linked to NASCAR star Denny Hamlinwww.foxnews.com
Hamas confirms five leaders killed, including 'masked spokesperson'. Group recruits teens amid election issues in Gaza.
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Five Hamas military commanders have been confirmed dead by the terrorist group's armed wing, dealing a significant blow to the leadership structure of the Palestinian militant organization in the Gaza conflict. Hamas is reportedly recruiting teenage fighters during the ceasefire in Gaza following the withdrawal of Israeli forces in October. National security analyst Professor Kobi Michael has warned about the increasing militant control in the region.
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Hamas confirms five leaders killed including 'masked spokesperson' in major blow to terror groupwww.foxnews.com
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Hamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic electionwww.foxnews.com
House Democrats plan to reconvene the Jan. 6 committee to highlight Republican attempts to alter the Capitol riot narrative.
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House Democrats will hold an unofficial hearing on the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot, as House Republicans declined to participate in a hearing proposed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The hearing will review President Trump's clemency for rioters and GOP efforts to downplay the event. This special hearing aims to mark the solemn anniversary of the Capitol ransacking in 2021.
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Democrats to reconvene House Jan. 6 committee on fifth anniversary of Capitol riotwww.washingtonexaminer.com
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Democrats Aim to Spotlight Republican Efforts to Rewrite the Jan. 6 Capitol Riotwww.nytimes.com
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Dems to convene special hearing on five-year anniversary of Jan. 6 Capitol riotnypost.com
Trump pledges $2 billion for UN humanitarian aid but warns agencies to 'adapt, shrink, or die.'
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The Trump administration has announced a $2 billion pledge towards United Nations humanitarian aid, which officials say will save taxpayers $1.9 billion through consolidated operations. This move is expected to maintain the United States as the largest international aid donor next year, despite previous cuts to US funding for humanitarian operations. The United Nations has welcomed the pledge, although it comes after significant reductions in US funding for humanitarian efforts. President Trump's administration has been critical of foreign aid and has urged U.N. agencies to adapt to funding cuts.
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Trump tells UN agencies to 'adapt, shrink, or die' while offering $2B humanitarian funding pledgewww.foxnews.com
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U.S. Pledges $2 Billion for U.N. Aid but Trump Administration Tells Agencies to ‘Adapt, Shrink, or Die’www.nytimes.com
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US pledges $2bn for humanitarian aid, but tells UN 'adapt or die'www.bbc.com
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US pledges $2 billion towards UN humanitarian aidwww.washingtonexaminer.com
Louis V. Gerstner, the man who revived IBM in the '90s, has passed away at 83.
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An outsider took charge of a struggling company, revamped its focus from mainframe computers to consulting, and revitalized its culture and mission. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 83.
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Louis V. Gerstner, Who Revived a Faltering IBM in the ’90s, Dies at 83www.nytimes.com
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Opinion | Lou Gerstner, the Man Who Revived IBMwww.wsj.com
Protesters clash with security forces in Tehran amid nationwide unrest due to Iran's currency collapse.
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Iran is experiencing escalating protests as demonstrators clash with security forces in Tehran and Mashhad. Tear gas has been deployed amid nationwide strikes. The protests are fueled by high inflation and a currency collapse, which are putting pressure on Iranians' budgets and challenging the country's leaders.
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Iranian protesters clash with security forces as tear gas fills Tehran streets amid nationwide unrestwww.foxnews.com
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Iran’s Currency Collapse Pushes Protesters to the Streetswww.nytimes.com
Ilhan Omar and Somali Minnesotans face scrutiny in fraud investigation. Omar's wealth gains and husband's company value surge raise concerns.
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New York Times writer Mara Gay suggests that investigations into Minnesota fraud allegations are politically motivated and unfairly targeting the Somali community. A conservative watchdog is looking into Rep. Ilhan Omar's finances amid a fraud scandal in Minnesota, raising questions about her sudden increase in wealth. Companies owned by Omar's husband have seen a significant rise in value, from under $1,000 to potentially $25 million, as fraud investigations in Minnesota persist. Additionally, Ilhan Omar's defense of Somalia's territorial claims is under scrutiny as federal authorities investigate billions in fraud losses.
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Somali Minnesotans being 'scapegoated' in fraud investigation, NYT writer claimswww.foxnews.com
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Ilhan Omar faces investigation after outrage over massive wealth gains and aid fraud in Minnesotanypost.com