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Political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou cue up the long-awaited Epstein files vote; a Trump Administration investigation of UC Berkeley over a skirmish at a Turning Point protest; the torture of 252 Venezuelans in El Salvador at the behest of the US; JNIM’s fuel blockade highlights the rise of Al Qaeda in the Sahel in the wake of French withdrawals.
- DOJ Investigates UC Berkeley Protest Incident: The Justice Department announces an investigation into UC Berkeley after protesters confront Turning Point USA event attendees, with civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon labeling demonstrators as Antifa operating with impunity. Protests outside Zellerbach Hall feature chants against Trump, a brief scatter from fireworks mistaken for gunshots, and four arrests including one violent off-campus incident. The probe may fold into ongoing UC system scrutiny over antisemitism and diversity practices, while the university condemns violence and cooperates with FBI. Will the White House babysit Turning Point everywhere they go?
- Epstein Files Discharge Petition Reaches 218 Signatures: Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva affixes the final signature to the bipartisan discharge petition led by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna immediately after her swearing-in last night, triggering a seven-legislative-day countdown for the bill forcing full DOJ Epstein files release to hit the House floor. Senior aides estimate a contentious December vote, despite Speaker Mike Johnson’s pivot to opposing it and Trump downplaying the matter as a hoax. Three GOP women—Boebert, Greene, and Mace—remain supportive amid White House pressure, with Massie predicting passage and potential Johnson allowing vulnerable members to vote yes.
- Venezuelans Tortured in El Salvador Gulag: A Human Rights Watch and Cristosal report reveals over 252 Venezuelans deported under Trump’s policy endure systematic torture, sexual assault, beatings, and inhumane conditions at CECOT mega-prison. Detainees face prolonged incommunicado detention, inadequate food, and abuses after visits by officials like Kristi Noem, with the US paying $4.7 million to El Salvador despite known abuse. Groups demand independent DOJ investigation and halt to third-country deportations, comparing it to Abu Ghraib and accusing Trump administration complicity.
- JNIM Blockade Paralyzes Bamako, Mali: Al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM seals highways since September, imposing fuel blockade on Mali’s capital, causing soaring prices, power cuts, school closures, and resident desperation. Ambushs burn tankers, abandon vehicles clog streets, and Western nations evacuate staff as JNIM leverages discontent to pressure military government toward negotiations. Analysts see growing JNIM hold aiming for regime change in Mali and Burkina Faso, with local deals in regions allowing siege lifts for taxes and non-cooperation with forces.
