Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice.
- The United States has freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in the South American country and the extradition of a fugitive defense contractor.
- The United Nations Security Council has failed for a third time to pass a Gaza ceasefire resolution, even as the death toll reaches the grim milestone of 20,000. U.S. officials state that they want any resolution to include wording that condemns Hamas and affirms Israel’s right to defend itself. Negotiations over a resolution continue, while in Washington, lawmakers and the White House are engaged in their own negotiations over an aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
- In a year-end news conference Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he’s confident his country will get the proposed package of aid currently stalled in Washington. The Pentagon says money for Ukraine will run out at the end of the year.
- The Justice Department today announced that it’s suing a Houston-based land developer for allegedly targeting Hispanic home buyers with false statements, misleading advertising and predatory lending.
- Challengers are telling a federal judge that Georgia Republican state lawmakers’ new voting districts don’t cure illegal vote dilution and should be rejected.
- Workers at fast-food locations across the Bay Area went on strike to demand their companies address dangerous conditions onsite, including broken building services and a string of violent robberies.
- Lawmakers, homeless advocates, and other community members came together to commemorate the homeless individuals who died in the city of San Jose this year.