Mon, December 9, 2024

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: The Bulwark

Stay on the Road to Damascus

Syrians gather at Umayyad Square to celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule in Damascus, Syria on December 9, 2024. (Photo by Murat Sengul/Anadolu via Getty Images.)

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: New York Sun

Greater Idaho Movement and Other Secessionist Groups Look to Trump 2.0 as Their Time

Campaigns to change state borders or form new states speak to the divide among rural and urban, red and blue, that the 2024 election map showcases.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: WLRN

Lara Trump steps down as RNC co-chair and addresses speculation about Florida Senate seat

Lara Trump will step down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee. One of her potential next steps is replacing Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whom Trump tapped to be the next secretary of state.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Sydney Morning Herald

'I did some exercise': Albanese returns serve over tennis photos

The prime minister said he had already visited a synagogue and had six hours of meetings before he was photographed playing tennis on Saturday afternoon.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Sydney Morning Herald

Australia spends $140m to China-proof Nauru

China will be blocked from striking any security or telecommunications deals with Nauru in exchange for $140 million from Australian taxpayers.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: NBC News

'It's like Game of Thrones': Inside the jockeying for Trump administration jobs

Trump has moved quickly to identify top officials for his next administration, but it hasn't all gone smoothly.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Prime Minister of India

PM addresses the programme organised by Ramakrishna Math in Gujarat

Addressing the gathering, Shri Modi extended his greetings to the revered Shrimat Swami Gautamananda Ji Maharaj, revered saints of Ramakrishna Math and Mission from India and abroad, the Chief Minister of Gujarat,

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Business Standard

Who is George Soros, the man at the centre of political debate in India?

The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused Congress president Sonia Gandhi of links to an organisation funded by the George Soros Foundation, which supports the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Sydney Morning Herald

Travel warning for Jewish visitors to Australia after synagogue attack

Anthony Albanese announced a new taskforce to tackle antisemitism, but the US-based Jewish human rights organisation still issued a warning.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: ABC12

Trump lays out sweeping early acts on deportation and January 6 pardons

President-elect Donald Trump in a television interview that aired Sunday previewed a sweeping agenda for his first days in office, outlining how his administration will prioritize deporting migrants w

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Mother Jones

What Local Texans Pay to Subsidize New Gas Terminals: $4 Million Per Job

The tax breaks that Gulf Coast communities hope will attract investment and employment mainly help the developers, a new analysis finds.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Brisbane Times

The LNP MPs paid extra to lead scrutiny of the government's new laws

While those elevated to chair parliamentary committees may get less attention than ministers or opposition frontbenchers, they wield a lot of influence.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: ABC

Biden says fall of Assad regime in Syria is a 'historic opportunity'

The current and next president responded to the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime after he fled the country as rebels advanced into Damascus.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: MSN

From eye doctor to brutal dictator: The rise (and fall) of Syria's Bashar al-Assad

Bashar al-Assad never intended to go into politics. He became one of the world's most brutal dictators whose thuggish rule ended abruptly when rebels stormed into Damascus Saturday night, causing his army − and him − to flee.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: MSN

Syrian premier says government still functioning but challenges loom

But there were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country, which is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: The Indian Express

Decode Politics: Who is 'Telangana Thalli', why there is a row over her statue

The Revanth Reddy government has received flak from the BRS and the BJP for tweaking the design of Telangana Thalli, or the mother of Telangana, with the move labelled an attack on the state's cultural identity.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: The Mirror

Labour echoes Dominic Cummings' drive to recruit 'weirdos and misfits' into Whitehall

In a speech on shaking up Whitehall, Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden pointed to Dominic Cummings' callout for 'super-talented weirdos' to work for Boris Johnson back in 2020

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: The New York Times

New York Times - Top Stories

Rebels stormed the Syrian capital on Sunday without encountering any significant resistance from government forces. Assad's Whereabouts Are Unclear 1 min read Who Is the Leader of Syria's ...

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Mediaite

'Wants to Protect His Child': Durbin Defends Biden as Tapper Grills Him On Hunter Pardon President 'Said Again and Again' He Wouldn't Do

Joe Biden's unconditional pardon of Hunter covers any crimes his son might have committed dating back to 2014, which Durbin said is just being a loving dad.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Associated Press

How some legislatures are undercutting their voters, plus Trump's negotiations with world leaders

This newsletter was originally sent out via email to our Ground Game subscribers on Dec. 9. You can subscribe at any time at apnews.com/newsletters.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: The New York Times

A Century-Old Law's Aftershocks Are Still Felt at the Supreme Court

Congress let the justices choose the cases they would decide. That change "continues to prompt political contention and crisis," a scholar argues.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: MSN

Civil Service needs 'innovators and disrupters', McFadden says

Civil Service needs 'innovators and disrupters', McFadden says - The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster cited Airbnb, WhatsApp and Spotify as examples of start-ups the Civil Service could emulate.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: CounterPunch

How Republics Succeed, Falter, and Fail

The U.S. enjoys many strengths that give it an edge over other republics, such as a decentralized and innovative economy that draws global talent and

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: MSN

Why is HTS banned in the UK and will this change now it has control in Syria?

Why is HTS banned in the UK and will this change now it has control in Syria? - The Home Secretary can decide to lift a ban on a proscribed organisation.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Sydney Morning Herald

'The fear is palpable': Australian women and children trapped in Syria afraid for their lives

Australia has had five years to repatriate dozens of women and children who went to Syria under Islamic State.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Mises Institute

The Study Supporting California's $20 Minimum Wage is Just Politics as Usual

A new study from the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment at UC Berkeley claims that California's new $20 fast food minimum wage has had no adverse

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Buffalo News

Movers and shakers: Report outlines Buffalo's power structure, offers guide for how to navigate it

Our City Action Buffalo last month released a set of reports aimed at helping seasoned organizers and people looking to become civically engaged alike − a guide for understanding and challenging the well-established power structures in Buffalo and Western New York.

[ Mon, Dec 09th 2024 ]: Government Executive

Politics vs. Policy: Building partnerships with new appointees

Among other things, they bring new political appointees to leadership positions in an agency or program, and they will supervise or oversee career civil servants. The latter are duty-bound to follow the lawful orders of the former.
Sun, December 8, 2024

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: World Socialist Web Site

Fluoridation of community water and the politics of disinformation

Robert F Kennedy Jr., Trump's nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, has promised to end water fluoridation, a program which has been called one of the ten greatest achievements in public health.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: The Daily Star

Three pro-BNP bodies march towards Indian mission

Three pro-BNP organisations yesterday submitted a memorandum to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, demanding the stop of misinformation about Bangladesh and ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi missions in India.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: ABC

Biden says fall of Assad regime a 'historic opportunity'

The current and next president responded to the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime after he fled the country as rebels advanced into Damascus.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Newsroom

Climate politics matures with Greens emissions plan

Analysis: The Green Party's alternative emissions reduction plan can serve as the platform for a substantive debate on climate, Marc Daalder writes.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Sydney Morning Herald

ALP desperately needs Gen Z voters. Too bad Albanese just drove us further away

The PM will spend much of his time on the campaign trail arguing his government has served young Australians well - a statement that was largely true until last week.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Philadelphia Inquirer

Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible

Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire went beyond the public policy stands taken by the Biden administration and Ukraine and drew a cautious response from Zelenskyy. It also marks Trump wading unusually deeply into efforts before his Jan. 20 inauguration to resolve one of the major global crises facing the lame-duck Biden administration.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Reuters

Trump aims to deport all immigrants in the US illegally

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump aims to deport all immigrants in the U.S. illegally over his four-year term but wants a deal to protect so-called "Dreamer" immigrants, he said in an interview that aired on Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: The West Australian

Newspoll: Voters rate Anthony Albanese as weakest leader in decades

Mr Albanese unveiled the opening of a major train line in Perth's north on Sunday, where the booming outer suburbs helped to fuel the red wave that had Labor pick up five seats and secure majority government in 2022. Mr Dutton, in the crucial swing seat ...

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: The New York Times

What to Know: How Rebels Toppled the Syrian Government and Deposed Assad

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, whose name means Organization for the Liberation of the Levant, began to form at the beginning of Syria's civil war, when jihadists formed the Al Nusra Front to fight pro-Assad forces with hundreds of insurgent and suicide attacks.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Sky News Australia

Sydney Trains officials warn commuters of service reductions and cancellations on Monday after industrial action over pay

Train commuters are being urged to reconsider their travel plans on Monday due to major cancellations and reduced services following industrial action by rail unions.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: CNN

Trump previews immigration actions and January 6 pardons in first TV interview since election

President-elect Donald Trump previewed immigration actions he plans to take in his first days in office and outlined how he expects his Justice Department to handle investigations into his political opponents and the criminal cases against January 6 rioters in his first major television interview since winning November's presidential election.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Cfr.org

After Fall of Assad Dynasty, Syria's Risky New Moment

The swift collapse of Syria's regime brings a humiliating end to Russia's and Iran's sway and opens the door for greater Turkish influence. But the Islamist movement that seized power has yet to

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Sydney Morning Herald

Dutton takes the lead, but is he defying gravity?

The opposition leader is now ahead in the opinion polls at a time of deep unrest over the cost of living when he has no significant public plan to fix the problem.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Charlotte Observer

Biden to push for Austin Tice return as Assad flees Syria: 'We think we can get him back'

Assad's regime could present an opportunity to bring home the journalist more than 12 years after he traveled to Syria to cover its descent into war.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: MSN

Waltz says DOGE cutting trillions of government spending is 'practical' outlook

Rep. Mike Walz (R-FL) expressed his confidence in the Department of Government Efficiency to keep the U.S. from falling "off the financial cliff." In the weeks since President-elect Donald Trump won the Oval Office,

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Newstalk ZB

Dr Leon Goldsmith: Bashar Al-Assad was 'vulnerable and exposed'

Rebel forces in Syria say they have ended Bashar Al-Assad's rule as the government's troops withdraw from Damascus. Otago University Professor for Middle Eastern and Comparative Politics Leon Goldsmith joins Early Edition.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Sydney Morning Herald

'Excessive' or 'strategic merit'? Eastern suburbs' tallest building given green light

A proposal to construct the tallest building in the eastern suburbs has overcome a significant planning hurdle three years after first being rejected, despite opposition from Woollahra Council.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: MSN

Laphonza Butler, 1st LGBTQ+ Black U.S. senator, exits office as Democrats question identity politics

Butler, appointed to the U.S. Senate by California Gov. Gavin Newsom after the death of Dianne Feinstein, leaves office after 14 months as Rep. Adam B. Schiff is sworn in Monday.

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: MSN

Badenoch 'renews friendship' with Trump's vice president

Kemi Badenoch has had dinner with vice president-elect JD Vance, as the pair "renewed their friendship" ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House. The Tory leader and Mr Trump's running mate have regularly exchanged messages over the last year,

[ Sun, Dec 08th 2024 ]: Daily Express

Labour's 'dangerously misguided foreign policy' threatens special relationship with US

Mark Francois accused Sir Keir Starmer of undermining the "cornerstone of our defence policy" and attacked "Labour's persistent uncertainty on defence spending".

'The fear is palpable': Australian women and children trapped in Syria afraid for their lives

Australia has had five years to repatriate dozens of women and children who went to Syria under Islamic State.

The article from The Sydney Morning Herald discusses the dire situation of Australian women and children trapped in the Roj camp in Syria, where they live in fear for their lives amidst deteriorating conditions. The camp, originally set up for families of ISIS fighters, has become increasingly dangerous due to the withdrawal of international forces and the rise of local militias. The Australian government has been criticized for its slow response in repatriating these citizens, with only a few having been brought back. The article highlights the personal stories of individuals like Mariam Raad, who faces charges related to terrorism, and others who are desperate to return home. It also notes the broader humanitarian crisis, with reports of violence, lack of medical care, and the psychological toll on the children, who are growing up in a highly unstable environment. The fear and uncertainty are palpable as these families await decisions on their repatriation, with many feeling abandoned by their home country.

Read the Full Sydney Morning Herald Article at:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-fear-is-palpable-australian-women-and-children-trapped-in-syria-afraid-for-their-lives-20241209-p5kx0z.html