Economy
A Redfin report states that the typical American retail worker earns $34,436 annually, which is 51.6 percent less than the $71,172 required to afford a median apartment renting for $1,779 monthly. This represents a $36,736 shortfall. The report notes that rental affordability has improved slightly, as rent growth slowed to 3.4 percent year-over-year. In Cleveland, the disparity is the smallest at 32.9 percent below affordability thresholds, while in New York it is the largest at 71 percent. The retail sector reported 88,664 job cuts through October, a 145 percent increase from the prior year. In markets such as Austin and Denver, U.S. incomes have outpaced rent increases, where rents declined annually. Some experts argue that increasing housing supply, rather than rent controls, offers a more effective long-term solution to affordability issues.
Costco has sued the Trump administration over tariffs, seeking to preserve refund rights if courts deem them illegal. The case challenges the “liquidation” process, which finalizes duties and bars later recoveries. Similar suits have been filed by Revlon, Kawasaki Motors, and others ahead of a December 15 deadline. Lower courts have invalidated some tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Supreme Court heard arguments on November 5 and has allowed collections to continue pending a decision. Tariffs reportedly generate tens of billions of dollars monthly, which the administration has used for funding without tax hikes, though potential refunds could create budget shortfalls amid deficits. The administration has expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will uphold the tariffs’ legality.
The Federal Reserve injected $13.5 billion in liquidity into the banking system via overnight repos, the second-largest such operation since the COVID-19 pandemic and exceeding the dot-com bubble peak. Federal Reserve officials have described the action as a routine measure to maintain financial stability.
A poll indicates that voter confidence in the value of four-year college degrees has declined, with only 33 percent of registered voters viewing them as worth the cost, down 20 points from 2013. In contrast, 63 percent now view them as poor value, a 23-point increase. Adjusted for inflation, in-state public college tuition has doubled since 1995, while private institutions have increased by 75 percent. Unemployment among recent graduates aged 20-24 is 9.7 percent, higher than for high school graduates. Nonetheless, studies suggest that college graduates generally achieve higher lifetime earnings compared to those with only a high school diploma.
Geopolitics
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has rejected U.S. offers of exile and protection for himself, his wife, and son, opting to retain control amid escalating tensions. President Trump warned of regime change, including strikes on land-based drug targets, after imposing sanctions, a $50 million bounty, migrant deportations, and naval actions against smuggling vessels. Maduro sought global amnesty and armed forces oversight for elections, but Washington declined further talks. A no-fly zone covers Venezuela, with U.S. fighter jets and bombers active nearby; Maduro rallied supporters in Caracas against perceived imperialism. The U.S. designates Venezuelan leadership as part of the alleged Cartel de los Soles and has authorized over 20 strikes that reportedly killed more than 80 civilians, which rights groups have labeled as extrajudicial. Russia and China, key allies, have reportedly criticized the U.S. actions as neo-colonialist attempts to destabilize the region.
Relatedly, U.S. military planning documents outline a sustained troop presence in the Caribbean through November 2028, including 15,000 personnel, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier with 75 aircraft, 13 warships, support vessels, and a nuclear submarine. Contracts for food supplies cover Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard operations in Puerto Rico zones like Muniz Air National Guard Base and Fort Buchanan. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth named the anti-smuggling effort “Southern Spear,” with CIA covert operations and invasion options presented to Trump. Procurement scales suggest ongoing counter-drug activities at elevated levels, potentially extending to confrontations with groups like ELN and FARC following a possible post-Maduro scenario. The Venezuelan government has condemned the U.S. military buildup as an act of aggression and a violation of international law.
Meanwhile, Russia and China, key Venezuelan allies, maintain significant stakes that could complicate U.S. actions. China holds $60 billion in loans repaid via oil, securing resource and infrastructure control, while Russia provides military support including Su-30MK2 fighters, S-300VM systems, Pantsir-S1 defenses, and hundreds of troops. Venezuelan officials describe the Russia ties as a brotherhood against U.S. aggression. A regime change could reportedly strain global relations, impact Ukraine dynamics, and escalate beyond drug concerns, as fentanyl primarily originates from China and Mexico.
Speaking of Russia, Russian forces have captured the strategic Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub with 60,000 pre-war residents, and Vovchansk, advancing district by district over the past month. Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov reported the gains to President Vladimir Putin, consolidating frontline dominance in eastern Ukraine. The moves precede U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s Tuesday meeting with Putin on a revised Trump peace plan, following Sunday talks in Miami with Ukrainian delegates led by National Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov after Andriy Yermak’s resignation amid a corruption probe. Discussions focused on de facto borders, territorial concessions in Donbass and Crimea, security guarantees, and elections, described as productive by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Umerov. Ukraine struck Russian oil facilities and tankers, while Russia targeted military and energy sites, condemning attacks on Black Sea infrastructure. NATO is assessing responses to Russian cyber and sabotage activities, preparing for scenarios with limited U.S. support. Ukraine has encountered internal political challenges, including recent resignations amid corruption allegations.
In other news, Argentine President Javier Milei launched the Isaac Accords on Saturday with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, aiming to build political, economic, and cultural ties between Israel and Latin American nations like Uruguay, Panama, and Costa Rica. Modeled on the Abraham Accords and backed by Washington, the initiative positions Argentina as a pioneer. Milei, who plans to convert to Judaism post-office and move the embassy to Jerusalem, recited a Jewish blessing during the meeting. Joint projects in technology, security, and development are under discussion, with Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno scheduled for Israel in February. Milei’s policies have opened Argentina to foreign investment, including in Patagonia by firms like Israel’s Mekorot and UAE entities. Indigenous groups have raised concerns that the accords could lead to further land displacements in regions like Patagonia.
European Politics
A 13-year-old girl in the UK was denied a school placement after the headteacher learned of her mother Lucy Connolly’s 31-month imprisonment for an anti-immigration tweet following the Southport murders. The school cited concerns that her presence would cause disruption due to associations with racism. Connolly, who was convicted under the Public Order Act for stirring racial hatred despite no prior offenses, described the decision as discrimination against her daughter. This incident follows more than 10,000 arrests last year for online content under hate speech laws, in contrast to lighter treatment for others reportedly inciting violence against migration critics. The school has defended its decision as necessary to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
Additionally, British IT consultant Jon Richelieu-Booth faced arrest and a 13-week ordeal after posting a LinkedIn photo of himself holding guns during a Florida vacation. West Yorkshire Police issued warnings, arrested him for potential public order offenses, and pursued charges for causing distress, though firearms and stalking allegations were dropped. The case was withdrawn before a November 25 court date. It highlights enforcement of vague hate speech guidelines amid 12,000 arrests for online posts related to migration protests. UK gun ownership remains restricted, with certificates held by only 0.25 percent of the population. Police authorities stated that the investigation responded to public concerns about the images potentially causing distress.
Sources
Retail Workers Earn 51.6% Less Than Needed to Afford Rent: Redfin Report
An American retail worker earns 51.6 percent less than the amount required to afford a typical rental apartment, real estate brokerage Redfin said in a statement released on Nov. 26.
Source | Submitted by Rodster
Nature’s Course: The Separation of Us and Them
The mutation is all but complete. And the separation, us and them, is plain to see.
Source | Submitted by pinecarr
Maduro Rejects Exile, Bracing for US-Led Regime Change Assault
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has two options: flee immediately or propel your nation into a one-sided war with the United States.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
US Military Plans Extended Caribbean Troop Deployment Through 2028 Amid Venezuela Escalation
US Plans To Keep Troops In Caribbean Through 2028, Planning Docs Show
Milei Unveils ‘Isaac Accords’ to Forge Israeli-Latin American Alliance
Milei Launches ‘Isaac Accords’ To Expand Israeli Influence In Latin America
UK School Bars Girl Over Mother’s Jailed ‘Racist’ Tweet
“It’s outrageous. My daughter is being punished for my views. She’s innocent, and now she’s the one suffering,”
British Man Faces Arrest Ordeal Over US Vacation Gun Photo
A British IT consultant was arrested by West Yorkshire Police after posting pictures on LinkedIn of himself holding guns during an American vacation.
Russia Captures Pokrovsk as Putin Gears Up for Trump Envoy Peace Talks
Russia finally and formally announced Monday its forces have captured the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, the long fought-over strategic military logistics hub
Why Russia and China Will Fume Over Imminent U.S. Regime Change in Venezuela
This Is Why Russia And China Are Going To Be Extremely Upset When The U.S. Begins A Regime Change War In Venezuela
College Degrees’ Value in Freefall: Voter Support Plunges 20 Points in 12 Years
Just 33% say a four-year degree is worth it — a drop of 20 points since June 2013, according to the survey released Friday.
Costco’s Tariff Lawsuit: The Preemptive Strike That Could Detonate Trump’s Economic Legacy
Costco just filed a lawsuit that could blow up Trump’s signature economic policy, and most people don’t realize how catastrophic this could become.
Fed Injects $13.5 Billion in Liquidity: Second-Largest Since COVID, Dwarfs Dot-Com Peak – Probably Fine
This is the 2nd largest liquidity injection since Covid and surpasses even the peak of the Dot Com Bubble Probably Fine, carry on
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: The Wall Street Journal, The Intercept, The New York Times, Fox News, Bloomberg, The Guardian, BBC News, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Axios.
by davefairtex 
