In this episode of the NPR Up First podcast, we explore three key topics: the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war as it reaches its one-thousand-day milestone, the sentencing of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, and President-elect Trump's proposed tax cuts. The ongoing conflict has dramatically transformed Russia's political, economic, and social landscape, with public support varying widely. Meanwhile, the harsh sentencing of activists in Hong Kong underscores China's increasing repression of dissent. Lastly, while Trump's tax proposals may lower individual tax bills, they could also lead to a significant rise in the national debt and bring about unforeseen consequences.
