## Federal judge says Trump administration must restore disaster money to Democratic states

Authored by apnews.com

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to reallocate federal Homeland Security funding away from states that refuse to cooperate with certain federal immigration enforcement. U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy’s ruling on Monday solidified a win for the coalition of 12 attorneys general that sued the administration earlier this year after being alerted that their states would receive drastically reduced federal grants due to their “sanctuary” jurisdictions.

The money is part of a $1 billion program where allocations are supposed to be based on assessed risks, with states then largely passing most of the money on to police and fire departments.

The cuts were unveiled shortly after a separate federal judge in a different legal challenge ruled it was unconstitutional for the federal government to require states to cooperate on immigration enforcement actions to get FEMA disaster funding.

In her 48-page ruling, McElroy found that the federal government was weighing states’ police on federal immigration enforcement on whether to reduce federal funding for the Homeland Security Grant Program and others.

The Trump-appointed judge then ordered the Department of Homeland Security to restore the previously announced funding allocations to the plaintiff states.

“This judicial sabotage threatens the safety of our states, counties, towns, and weakens the entire nation,” McLaughlin said. »

### Maga’s biggest fear is coming true and Trump won’t survive it

Authored by inews.co.uk

Other Maga figures, including Steve Bannon and conspiracist Laura Loomer, have criticised the administration for its handling of the matter.

The Epstein files have torn through Trump’s base, with typically supportive Fox News hosts warning in the summer that Trump risked losing support over the matter.

On another, the only three listed passengers are Epstein, Trump, and a then 20-year-old whose name is also redacted. »

### Moscow explosion kills 2 Russian police officers tied to Ukrainian POW abuse, intelligence source says

Authored by kyivindependent.com

Police officers involved in the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war were killed in an explosion in Moscow, sources within Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent on Dec. 24.

Russia's Investigative Committee confirmed that the explosion killed two police officers.

Ukrainian intelligence sources said the officers had previously taken part in Russia's war against Ukraine and were implicated in the abuse of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). »

### Boiling lobsters alive to be banned in England amid animal cruelty crackdown

Authored by theguardian.com

Boiling lobsters while they are alive and conscious will be banned as part of a government strategy to improve animal welfare in England.

Government ministers say that “live boiling is not an acceptable killing method” for crustaceans and alternative guidance will be published.

Animal welfare charities say that stunning lobsters with an electric gun or chilling them in cold air or ice before boiling them is more humane. »

### Fresh Ukraine-Russia peace plan contains key idea for solving the territory problem

Authored by inews.co.uk

The US and Ukraine have agreed on an updated peace deal and shared details of the 20-point plan with Russia, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.

The updated deal has been shared with Russian negotiators and a response from Vladimir Putin is expected on Wednesday, Zelensky added.

Zelensky has countered with a proposal of joint ownership between the US and Ukraine, in which the Americans can choose to distribute their share to Russia. »

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