December 18, 2025 - Short News

Ghislaine Maxwell files motion for release due to new evidence!

Ghislaine Maxwell has filed a habeas petition with the federal court in Manhattan seeking to overturn her 20 year prison sentence. The former partner of Jeffrey Epstein cites “substantial new evidence” that allegedly demonstrates serious constitutional violations during her trial. These violations, she argues, prevented her exoneration. The filing comes two days before the scheduled release of evidence under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Epstein was charged with human trafficking in 2019 and died one month later while in pretrial detention. Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021. Her petition could trigger new legal battles. The Justice Department has not yet commented.

Four dead in the Pacific - the next strike that no longer wants to be one

US forces have once again attacked a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four men. Officially, the operation is described as part of counter-narcotics efforts, but there are so far no verifiable details regarding nationality, cargo, or a specific threat situation. Under international law, these operations are becoming increasingly problematic. What is confirmed is only that the boat was destroyed and all occupants were killed. It is not the first deadly incident of this kind in recent times. The operations take place far from public attention, without press conferences, without images, without names. What remains is another number in an unofficial statistic. Targeted violence at sea, without a transparent legal basis. A war that is not called one, but has long been underway. The attack fits seamlessly into a series of deadly operations that continue to expand. Boats are identified, pursued, and fired upon, often without any verifiable clarification of what danger actually existed.

Trump administration cuts health grants for pediatricians

The Department of Health has cut several million dollars in funding for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Affected are seven programs focused on youth health, mental care, and early autism detection. The physicians’ organization had repeatedly publicly criticized the Trump administration’s vaccination policy. A ministry spokesperson said the projects no longer align with the agency’s priorities. The organization is reviewing legal options. Critics speak of political retaliation. The cuts hit programs with direct impact on child and adolescent care. The move intensifies the conflict between the government and the medical community.

Trump sharpens rhetoric on Venezuela’s seized oil rights

Donald Trump has once again defended his blockade policy against Venezuela with harsh words. He accused previous US administrations of having accepted the expropriation of American oil companies under Hugo Chávez. The goal of his policy, he said, is to reclaim “oil, land, and rights”. Venezuela forced US companies out of the country in 2007. Trump frames the blockade as the restoration of American claims. Caracas speaks of violations of international law and piracy. International concern over further escalation is growing. The measure goes well beyond previous sanctions. New polls show that a majority of the US population views military action against Venezuela very critically. Operations on Venezuelan territory in particular meet with broad rejection. Attacks on drug boats in international waters receive more approval, especially among Republican voters. Nevertheless, skepticism remains even here. Many respondents are closely watching developments. The numbers point to growing domestic political risks for the administration.

Four Republicans force vote on Obamacare subsidies

Four moderate Republicans have openly defied Speaker Mike Johnson and signed a Democratic-led discharge petition. This forces a vote on extending expanded pandemic subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The subsidies expire at the end of the year and would result in significantly higher monthly premiums for millions of people. Republican leadership had deliberately left a solution out. With the signatures, the required majority of 218 votes was reached. A vote is possible in January. Within the party, a new open conflict is looming. Johnson speaks of “abnormal times”.

National Guard deployment in Washington remains permitted for now

An appeals court has provisionally upheld the deployment of the National Guard in Washington. The court recognizes special presidential powers in the federal district. A previous decision that sought to halt the deployment was suspended. The proceedings are not yet concluded. Civil rights groups are alarmed. The decision temporarily strengthens Trump’s room for maneuver.

Trump hints at departure of FBI Deputy Director Bongino

As we already indicated several months ago that Bongino would leave his position by the end of the year, Donald Trump today signals that FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino may soon step down. When asked, Trump said Bongino had done “great work” but might want to return to his former life as a conservative podcaster. Bongino was one of the most controversial figures in the FBI. Critics accused him of political interference. Trump simultaneously demonstrated clear support for FBI Director Kash Patel. Patel is under pressure due to private use of a government aircraft and public comments on ongoing investigations. The signal from the White House is loyalty. The leadership of the FBI remains politically charged.

US climate research center set to be dismantled

The Trump administration is pushing ahead with the dissolution of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado. Budget director Russell Vought described the institute as a source of “climate alarmism”. Core tasks such as weather research are to be relocated. Scientists warn of massive consequences for disaster preparedness and climate modeling. The center is considered an international key institution. Criticism also comes from universities and emergency management agencies. An internal audit office of the Department of Energy is also investigating the cancellation of around 8 billion dollars in grant funding. More than 300 projects in multiple states are affected. The cuts targeted states with Democratic majorities. Democratic lawmakers speak of political retaliation. The review is intended to clarify whether laws and grant regulations were violated. Results are expected in 2026.

Dover, silent duty - Hegseth at the return of the fallen

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is on site in Dover to accompany the return of fallen US soldiers. Also present is a civilian interpreter from Syria, whose photo FOX did not broadcast, which again says a great deal about conditions in the United States, who was killed in action and worked for a long time alongside American units.

The so-called dignified transfer follows a fixed protocol, far from cameras and political staging. Here, every deployment ends the same way, regardless of rank, mission, or public perception. The return of civilian local partners in particular makes visible how closely military operations are intertwined with local allies. Many of these helpers carried high risk without ever formally being part of the armed forces. In Dover, no mandate and no strategy matter. What matters, sadly, is who does not return.

UN warns of escalation between the US and Venezuela

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for immediate de-escalation in the conflict between the United States and Venezuela. The United Nations is reviewing the legality of the announced blockade. The UN Charter prohibits unilateral uses of force. Diplomacy must take precedence. Several member states are observing the situation with concern. A mediating role for the UN is being discussed.

Trump adds unacceptable political commentary to presidential portraits

In the White House, new explanatory plaques have been installed beneath portraits of former presidents. The texts contain clearly evaluative statements. Barack Obama is described as one of the most divisive presidents. Joe Biden is once again confronted with unsubstantiated allegations regarding the 2020 election. George W. Bush is also sharply criticized. The wording strongly resembles Trump’s tone on social media. Historians speak of a political reinterpretation of historical representation.

Judge halts restrictions on congressional visits to ICE facilities

Federal Judge Jia M. Cobb has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from enforcing new visitation rules for ICE detention centers. The requirement that lawmakers register visits seven days in advance is likely unlawful. The court sees an overreach of the statutory authority of the Department of Homeland Security. Twelve members of Congress had sued after being denied access to detention facilities. The access serves oversight of detention conditions. The government argued security reasons. The court did not follow this argument. The decision strengthens parliamentary oversight.

Citizenship under reservation

The Trump administration is preparing a significant expansion of measures aimed at stripping naturalized US citizens of their citizenship. This emerges from internal guidelines obtained by the New York Times. With this, the government’s migration policy reaches a new level of escalation that goes far beyond classic deportation policy. Affected are people who lawfully obtained a US passport, whose naturalization is now to be reviewed retroactively. The focus is on alleged irregularities in old applications, even if they date back years or decades. Legal experts warn that this creates a climate of permanent insecurity. Citizenship loses its character as a final legal status and becomes effectively revocable. Critics see this as a dangerous precedent that undermines trust in the rule of law. The measures target groups already under political pressure. The government speaks of law enforcement, but conceals the political consequences. Protection turns into control, belonging into risk.