For the average Russian, the Battle for Bakhmut might be the psychological turning point of the war in Ukraine. Occupying Bakhmut, an important transportation hub, is vital for the Kremlin to shatter Ukrainian defenses in the highly urbanized and difficult-to-capture Donetsk Oblast. Despite wasting large amounts of ammunition — and soldiers — the largely deserted city remains in Ukrainian hands. Determined assaults led by the Wagner Group, Putin’s de facto private army, have failed to smash the front. And Russia’s ability to mount large-scale offensive operations there may have passed. Experts predict that the battle could have far-reaching political and…
Author: Patrick Houck
Patrick Houck
Patrick Houck is an avid political enthusiast based out of the Washington, D.C. metro area. His expertise is in campaigns and the use of targeted messaging to persuade voters. When not combing through the latest news, you can find him enjoying the company of family and friends or pursuing his love of photography.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died Saturday in Vatican City following a brief illness. In 2013, Benedict became the first pontiff to relinquish his title in six centuries. Benedict cited his old age. Benedict was born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 27, 1927. He spent the final years of his life in Vatican City. Tributes from world leaders have poured in following the news of his death. https://twitter.com/GiorgiaMeloni/status/1609139185956298752 https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1609145028403773440?s=20&t=FUUVSA1WjeWDItBUh2om5Q https://twitter.com/bundeskanzler/status/1609127000513331200?s=46&t=pOu7jy_PxTGxFaTXTmmcYA https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1609135048376172545 Fox News further reports: Benedict was born Joseph Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, in Bavaria. He came of age in Germany after World War I at the same time the…
ABC News announced Barbara Walters’ death late Friday. Walters was 93. Walters entered the world of television to support her family after her father went broke. Despite humble beginnings, she rose to become the first woman to co-host one of three traditional broadcast networks’ morning and evening news shows. https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1609021871122513922 Walters’ on-air debut came in 1956 when, as a writer for CBS’ “The Morning Show,” she and four other women modeled a one-piece bathing suit. Four years later, she became NBC’s “Today Girl,” and became the first female co-host of “Today” in 1974. Two years later, ABC executives paired her…
Police have arrested a suspect in the brutal murder of four University of Idaho students. The arrest was made by the FBI and local law enforcement at 3:00 a.m. in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Bryan Kohberger, 28, is reportedly in college but is not at the University of Idaho. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were stabbed to death in their off-campus rental home in the small college town of Moscow, Idaho, during the early morning hours on Nov. 13. https://twitter.com/PatHuntJr/status/1608862989586935808 The Daily Mail has more: He appeared in court this morning, with Moscow…
The Romanian Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism has arrested one of the most controversial social media stars. Andrew Tate, known worldwide for his misogyny and hubris, was apprehended after unintentionally revealing his whereabouts in a Twitter feud with climate change activist Greta Thunberg. Romanian authorities allege Tate, and his brother Tristian, are part of an organized crime ring involved in the sex trafficking of women and rape. At least six women were allegedly held captive by the men and forced to perform pornography for their financial benefit. Tate had been under investigation for some time but…
Speaking at former President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally on the National Mall on Jan. 6 earned Kimberly Guilfoyle a pretty penny. For a speech about the same length as Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (under three minutes), the former Fox News host and Donald Trump Jr.’s fiancée earned a cool $60,000. Copies of text messages show Guilfoyle wouldn’t address the crowd of diehard Trump supporters for anything less. “I’m not saying it’s a crime, but I think it’s a grift,” Jan. 6 committee member Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said of Guilfoyle’s demands in an interview on CNN. As Mediaite reports:…
Brazilian soccer legend Pelé has died. He was 82. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on Oct. 23, 1940, he was known worldwide by his four-letter moniker. Labeled “the greatest” by FIFA for his achievements on the pitch, Pelé won a record-breaking three World Cups — the first at 17 — and averaged nearly one goal per game. His 1,279 goals are recognized as a Guinness world record. Pelé began treatment for colon cancer last year. Later in life, he served as Brazil’s sports minister. In 2000, Time magazine listed him as one of the 100 most influential people of the…
Incoming Congressman George Santos, R-N.Y., is already facing speculation that he’s unfit for office after being outed as a habitual liar. Now, the Long Island representative-elect is officially under investigation for potential criminal wrongdoings that may have arisen as a result of lies about his résumé, philanthropy and even his heritage. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly — a Republican — said the investigation into the “stunning” fabrications was necessary on behalf of the people of New York’s 3rd Congressional District. Per NPR: “The residents of Nassau County and other parts of the third district must have an honest and…
The United States Supreme Court has ruled 5-4 to keep a Trump-era border policy in place. Title 42 was enacted by the Trump administration to slow the spread of COVID-19 by allowing authorities to expel migrants at the U.S. border immediately. The Court will hear a challenge by 19 Republican state attorney generals seeking to prevent the Biden White House from lifting the controversial policy. https://twitter.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/1607849842176581634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1607849842176581634%7Ctwgr%5E2cfe0e4ff9d8e7c46998310c2f57083444a6c60e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Famericasnewsdesk.com%2F2022%2F12%2F27%2Fsupreme-court-rules-to-uphold-title-42-border-restrictions%2F Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch joined the Court’s liberal wing in opposing the GOP-led states’ request to end the policy. The intervention comes as Republicans and some Democrats have warned about repealing Title 42. Lifting…
The co-leader in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has been sentenced to 16 years. Judge Robert J. Jonker said Adam Fox’s sentence was necessary to serve as punishment and a deterrent but disagreed with the government’s recommendation Fox spend the rest of his life behind bars. A Grand Rapids jury found Fox and Barry Croft Jr. guilty of conspiracy charges following a second trial. The men led an extremist, anti-government plan to abduct the governor and blow up a bridge to evade their pursuers. NBC News has more: Adam Fox was convicted in August of conspiracy to commit…