## Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa state Senate seat, blocking GOP from reclaiming a supermajority

Authored by newsday.com

DES MOINES, Iowa — Democrat Renee Hardman was elected to the Iowa state Senate on Tuesday in a year-end special election, denying Republicans from reclaiming two-thirds control of the chamber.

The seat became vacant after the Oct. 6 death of state Sen. Claire Celsi, a Democrat.

Hardman, the CEO of nonprofit Lutheran Services of Iowa and a member of the West Des Moines City Council, becomes the first Black woman elected to the 50-member Senate.

This undated photo provided by Hardman for Iowa on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, shows Democrat Renee Hardman, who is facing Republican Lucas Loftin in the special election for the state Senate seat representing parts of Des Moines’ suburbs.

Democrats held onto a Kentucky state Senate seat this month in a special election.

This undated photo provided by Lucas Loftin on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, shows Loftin, a Republican who is facing Democrat Renee Hardman in the special election for the state Senate seat representing a part of Des Moines' suburbs.

“Although we fell short this time, the Republican Party of Iowa remains laser-focused on expanding our majorities in the Iowa Legislature and keeping Iowa ruby-red," Kaufmann said. »

### SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1

Authored by cnn.com

Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia are the first of at least 18 states to enact waivers prohibiting the purchase of certain foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

And research remains mixed about whether restricting SNAP purchases improves diet quality and health.

In Iowa, which has the most restrictive rules to date, the SNAP limits affect taxable foods, including soda and candy, but also certain prepared foods. »

### Timothée Chalamet Got Spanked With a Real Ping Pong Paddle in ‘Marty Supreme’ and Refused a Butt Double: ‘He Didn’t Want Some Other Ass Immortalized’

Authored by variety.com

In the Josh Safdie-directed sports dramedy, O’Leary plays Milton Rockwell, a successful pen entrepreneur who is married to retired actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow).

In an interview with Variety, O’Leary said that Chalamet had the option to sit out of the scene, but the 30-year-old actor insisted the film feature his real butt.

He says shooting the scene “went on for hours,” with Safdie demanding about 40 takes until 4 in the morning. »

### Russian “Ghost Ship” Sank While Smuggling Nuclear Reactor Parts Likely Bound for North Korea

Authored by united24media.com

Spanish investigators have confirmed that the Russian cargo vessel Ursa Major, which sank off the coast of Cartagena in December 2024, was carrying undeclared nuclear reactor components likely bound for North Korea.

Though the ship’s manifest listed only empty containers and port equipment, aerial images revealed two large, undeclared containers at the stern.

Spanish officials believe the reactor parts were part of a covert nuclear cooperation deal between Moscow and Pyongyang, following recent military agreements. »

### India to procure 1,000 Rafael SPICE air-to-surface missiles

Authored by en.globes.co.il

Among the many arms included in the deal are SPICE 1000 guidance kits (SPICE 1000/Light Hail) manufactured by Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, according to reports in the Indian media.

SPICE 1000 weighs about 500 kilograms, and the entire system, developed by Rafael, has won the Israel Defense Prize.

Previous reports in India have already indicated that India wants Air LORA missiles following the great success of the Rampage missiles in the recent fighting with Pakistan. »

## In pictures

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