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by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, December 18.
- 2025’s AI boom caused huge CO2 emissions and use of water, research finds (“Study’s author says society not tech companies paying for environmental impact of AI and asks if this is fair”)
- How climate breakdown is putting the world’s food in peril – in maps and charts (“From floods to droughts, erratic weather patterns are affecting food security, with crop yields projected to fall if changes are not made”)
- EU leaders face crunch decision on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine
- Zelensky appeals to EU leaders facing crunch decision on Russia’s frozen cash
- US, Russia to hold talks on Ukraine war in Miami this weekend
- Russia is trying to overwhelm Europe with its sabotage campaign, Western officials say
- Belgium demands ironclad guarantees of protection as EU leaders weigh a massive loan for Ukraine
- In this secret missile factory, Ukraine is ramping up its domestic arms industry
- Congress passes $901bn defense bill that includes support for Ukraine and Europe
- EU told to choose between ‘money today or blood tomorrow’ as leaders debate giving Russian assets to Ukraine
- Europe tries to step out of America’s shadow — and hits reality (“From trade to defense, EU countries are eager to take charge of their own destiny. They just can’t agree on how.”)
- How the Global Threat From ISIS Lives On, Years After Its Caliphate Fell (“A sophisticated propaganda machine grooms would-be attackers before directing them to instructions for violence on the dark web.”)
- Australian PM announces crackdown on hate speech after Bondi shooting
- Editorial: Australia attack calls for solidarity with the Jewish community (“It’s more important than ever to stand up with, and for, our Jewish community and to condemn the hatred that fueled this weekend’s barbarity.”)
- The $8 Billion Black Market for Venezuelan Oil Is Suddenly Closing Down
- Trump administration asking US oil industry to return to Venezuela — but getting no takers
- House Rejects Measure to Bar Strikes Inside Venezuela
- For Hegseth, There Is One Boat Strike He Doesn’t Want the Public to See
- US strike on alleged drug boat in Pacific kills four, as Trump accuses Venezuela of taking ‘our oil’
- Saudi-backed forces gather on Yemen border as separatists face pressure to pull back (“Southern Transitional Council, backed by UAE, told it could face airstrikes after its recent huge territorial gains”)
- Pinochet Is Smiling in His Grave (“Chile’s new leader wants to rewrite its past and recast its future.”)
- Trump’s Attempt to Deport Chinese Dissident Guan Heng is Part of an Awful Pattern
- Trump Administration Aims to Strip More Foreign-Born Americans of Citizenship (“An official with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it would prioritize ‘those who’ve unlawfully obtained U.S. citizenship.'”)
- Judge lifts Trump administration limits on lawmaker visits to ICE jails
- 100 days of Kavanaugh stops and the justices who silently allowed them — and a bill to change that (“The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act is being introduced on Wednesday. And, Justice Kavanaugh still isn’t saying if he’s having second thoughts on his September opinion.”)
- Threats Against Judges Could Lead to a Judicial System Crisis
- Climate Deniers of the 119th Congress and the Second Trump Administration (McGuire, Cline and Griffith are on this list. Because of COURSE they are!)
- National Center for Atmospheric Research to Be Dismantled, Trump Administration Says (Absolutely INSANITY!)
- November’s inflation report is the first to be released after the shutdown. Here’s what to expect
- Inflation has proven stubborn all year. Will November be any different?
- Trump administration prepares sweeping crackdown on leftist networks (“The Justice Department’s program to root out violent ‘Antifa’ extremism is raising First Amendment concerns.”)
- American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr. (This would be a MASSIVE scandal in any other administration, and it SHOULD BE a massive scandal in this one. People, stop normalizing this crap!)
- Health Department Cancels Grants to Group That Criticized Kennedy’s Vaccine Policies
- The White House Is a Lost Cause (“Why are the Supreme Court and Congress conspiring to give him more power?”)
- The revealing pointlessness of Trump’s primetime speech (“The president is a desperate man”)
- In a rushed and combative speech, Trump casts blame for economic fears (“The president quickly jumped from one topic to the next, weaving a mixture of criticism for his predecessor with praise for his own policies on immigration, inflation and social issues.”)
- This Is What Presidential Panic Looks Like (“Donald Trump delivered a fear-drenched rant live from the White House.”)
- Poll: The affordability crisis is rippling across country after country, roiling politics
- Trump gives military a $1,776 holiday bonus, insists economy is just fine
- $1,776 Checks for the Military (“The president has authorized bonuses for more than 1 million service members.” Trump wants to buy the military’s loyalty.)
- Takeaways from Trump’s address (“The president fixated on Joe Biden in a rushed speech that didn’t sell a compelling economic message”)
- Fact check: Trump repeats numerous false claims in prime-time address
- Doctor Sounds Alarm After Trump, 79, Gives ‘Manic’ Address
- 5 takeaways from Trump’s White House address (“A standard campaign speech, delivered loudly and quickly…A barrage of misleading claims”)
- ‘What The Hell’: Trump’s Nothingburger National Address Leaves Watchers Baffled
- A Bellicose Trump Points Fingers in Defending Record on Economy
- Fast, harsh, alone: Trump beams into prime time with uncertain results
- House passes GOP health care bill without ObamaCare subsidy extension (“The legislation has little chance of passing through the Senate, however, and it does not address the cost cliff that’s expected to hit 22 million Americans when the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits sunset on Dec. 31…”)
- Bipartisan group discusses using discharged House bill for compromise health plan (“Senators joined the Problem Solvers Caucus meeting to strategize about reinstating Obamacare subsidies in January.”)
- How Democrats orchestrated a GOP revolt against Mike Johnson
- Did Mike Johnson Forget That Republican House Members Want to Be Reelected? (“The Speaker of the House is losing his majority, one terrible idea at a time.”)
- Why Trump’s Viciousness Matters (“He wants to destroy our values, not just our democracy”)
- Under Trump, 317,000 workers are out of the government. Here are 3 of their stories (“Mass firings, buyouts and heightened uncertainty led to an exodus of federal workers in 2025. More than 300,000 employees will be out of the government by the end of December.”)
- The Trump Family Business Empire Is Growing. We Mapped Out 268 Pieces of It. (MASSIVE, HISTORIC CORRUPTION.)
- Jack Smith tells Congress he could prove Trump engaged in a ‘criminal scheme’ to overturn 2020 election
- Hegseth to overhaul chaplain corps, toss ‘unacceptable and unserious’ Army spiritual fitness guide
- Americans weary of Trump’s executive authority, military action in Venezuela, Quinnipiac poll finds
- Prosecutors tried and failed to add 3rd felony charge against Letitia James, court docs show
- Senators freeze Coast Guard admiral’s promotion over swastika, noose policy
- Sleepy. Divisive. A fan of young Trump: A look at the new plaques on the Presidential Walk of Fame (Trump is deranged.)
- Trump Told by Alan Dershowitz Constitutionality of Third Term Is Unclear (No, it’s 100% clear.)
- Democrats Don’t Need a Huge ‘Wave’ to Win Big in 2026 (“A net gain of just three House seats would bust up Trump’s control of Washington.”)
- His Vanity Fair photos of Trumpworld blew up online. We called to talk. (“Every line, spot, blemish and blood vessel was captured by Christopher Anderson’s lens. What was he thinking?”)
- FBI’s No. 2 confirms he’s moving on
- The Americans Who Saw All This Coming—but Were Ignored and Maligned (“Call them the Cassandras: the people—mostly not white and male—who smelled the fascism all over Trump from jump street. Why were they “alarmists,” and how did “anti-alarmism” become cool?”)
- U.S. Accepts Fault for Reagan Airport Collision That Killed 67 People
- Study shows potential future vulnerabilities in D.C. area water supply
- The lasting impact of Trump’s federal surge on one D.C. neighborhood (“Those at the 10th Place apartments in Southeast Washington said the president’s crime strategy deepened their distrust of police and made them feel no safer.”)
- Barbara Johns, who led protest against school segregation, now represents Virginia in U.S. Capitol
- Former Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA02): “Jen Kiggans’ refusal to join the majority of her colleagues on a bipartisan measure to extend the ACA tax credits is unacceptable and will have devastating consequences for Coastal Virginians.”
- CNN, for some reason, has Ben Cline on to defend the MAGAs from Jack Smith
- Musk’s doubts about DOGE spotlight political risks for U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans
- Video, Reactions: With Just a Few Weeks Left Until Gov-Elect Spanberger Takes Charge, Lame Duck Gov. Youngkin Lays Out D.O.A. 2026-2028 Budget Proposal, Babbles Dishonestly About a Supposed “Great Virginia Renaissance” During His Shambolic Four Years
- Youngkin submits his final Virginia budget, warns Democrats not to ruin it (“Virginia’s outgoing Republican governor told lawmakers the state’s fiscal outlook is rosy, despite warnings otherwise, as long as they stick to his final budget proposal.” Bizarre headline, btw.)
- Youngkin pitches final budget, touts strong revenues as he prepares to leave office (This is a classic example of a stenographic headline.)
- Youngkin’s budget partially funds Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy Program
- Youngkin urges lawmakers, incoming governor to maintain his final budget proposal (“Glenn Youngkin’s final budget proposal includes raises for teachers and an effort to make the standard tax deduction permanent — but not an attempt to eliminate the car tax.” The headline should be that Youngkin’s budget is a joke, that his speech was full of lies, etc.)
- Youngkin announces final, outgoing state budget
- Virginia medical leaders sign letter denouncing CDC hepatitis B stance
- Ex-Richmond FBI chief, Farm Credit chief join Spanberger Cabinet
- University of Virginia presidential search not slowing down despite vocal pushback
- Dems aim to re-enter elections data-sharing partnership known as ERIC
- Hanukkah celebration in Cville defies terrorists in Australia (“In spite of the horrific attack on a Hanukkah party in Australia, dozens of people turned out for a celebration in Charlottesville Wednesday night.”)
- Governor’s budget proposal includes $35 million for Southwest Va. inland port
- Councilwoman Abubaker calls administration’s response in real estate tax debate ‘belittling’ (“As a woman in public office, it is painful when reasonable oversight is met with a tone that feels condescending or like I’m being lectured about the basics of government.”)
- CWG Live: Rain and gusty winds tonight, then seesawing temperatures ahead (“Some rumbles and isolated damaging wind gusts are possible as a cold front passes tonight.”)
