• Tue, December 10, 2024

by: THE WEEK

What Assad's fall means beyond Syria

Russia and Iran scramble to forge new ties with Syrian rebels as Israel seeks to exploit opportunities and Turkey emerges as 'main winner'

by: Sacramento Bee

Did Trump gain ground in Sacramento and California? See vote share from 2020 to 2024

Kamala Harris soundly defeated Donald Trump in the Sacramento region and across California, but President-elect Donald Trump's share of the vote grew in most places from 2020 to 2024—particularly in areas with a high proportion of Latino, Black or Asian residents, according to a Bee analysis of final election returns.

by: The Diplomat

The Economic Costs of Delaying the Impeachment of South Korean President Yoon

Already, concerned investors are withdrawing from South Korea's stock markets. Prolonged instability will exacerbate the economic damage.

by: Oregonian

Multnomah County commissioner beat out more experienced candidates to land division director job

Interview panelists praised Commissioner Lori Stegmann's leadership, but some expressed concerns that she'd struggle in the role.

by: Reuters

Brazil's left caught in the long shadow of ailing patriarch Lula

Emergency surgery to relieve a cranial hemorrhage has raised questions in Brazil over President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's short-term agenda - and the vacuum he would leave on the left if he does not run for reelection in 2026.

by: WPLG

US officials to investigate labor and human rights abuses in Nicaragua

A U.S. official says the Biden administration is opening an investigation into labor and human rights abuses in Nicaragua.

by: Click2Houston

US says it will support new Syrian leaders who protect women and renounce terrorism

The Biden administration says the United States will recognize and support a new Syrian government that renounces terrorism, destroys chemical weapons stocks and protects the rights of minorities and women.

by: The Globe and Mail

Freeland signals government will miss deficit target ahead of releasing fall economic update

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland gave the strongest signal yet that her government will blow past its most recent deficit target when she tables the fall economic statement next week, only committing publicly to one of the three benchmarks she set for herself just months ago.

by: Mail & Guardian

SACP to endorse decision to campaign alone for 2026 local government elections

The party will hold a special policy conference to decide on how to reconfigure its longstanding alliance with the ANC

by: Fox News

'Unified government': Incoming House Republican reveals agenda for new Congress after ousting Dem incumbent

Fox News Digital spoke to newly elected GOP Rep.-elect Gabe Evans about his successful defeat of an incumbent and his priorities in the next Congress in January.

by: The New York Times

How Some Voters Moved From Bernie Sanders to Donald Trump

For some young men in particular, the populist pitches from Mr. Sanders and Mr. Trump aligned with their attitudes about the ruling class.

by: Sky

Birmingham council agrees 'historic outcome' to equal pay claims with unions

The dispute relates to council workers in female-dominated roles, such as cleaners and catering staff, historically being paid less than those in male-dominated roles, like waste collection - leaving the council with £760m of liabilities.

by: Raleigh News & Observer

Black NC voters twice as likely to have ballots challenged in Griffin election protests

Griffin is challenging the validity of over 60,000 ballots in the NC Supreme Court race. An N&O analysis found that Black voters were twice as likely to have their votes challenged as white voters.

by: Raleigh News & Observer

NC Democrats to watch next year as GOP says it expects to have 'working supermajority'

Republicans will again have to try to bridge a one-vote gap to enact bills that could be vetoed by incoming Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.

by: Daily Express

More than 300 tractors to descend on Westminster to protest against 'stalinist' Government

More than 300 tractors will tomorrow rumble into Whitehall tomorrow to rally against the Government's "anti-farming Stalinist offensive". The farmers will descend on Westminster from all over the country to protest against Labour's inheritance tax ...

by: MSN

Rep. Miller-Meeks Backs Trump's Pledge to End Biden's 'Top-Down' EV Policies

Rep. Miller-Meeks praised former President Trump's vow to end Biden-Harris Electric Vehicles mandates, arguing they increase costs for families and limit consumer choice. She highlighted the administration's inefficiencies in implementing EV infrastructure and emphasized the need for market-driven solutions that respect freedom and avoid government overreach.

by: MSN

Ukraine-Russia latest: Zelensky targets diplomatic end to Putin's war and hints at role for foreign troops

Zelensky targets diplomatic end to Putin's war and hints at role for foreign troops - Ukrainian president says Kyiv wants an end to Putin's war 'more than anyone else'

by: MSN

Israel strikes and advances into Syrian territory after Assad's overthrow, fueling alarm

While Syria celebrates overthrowing its longtime dictator, it is also being subjected to a new ground incursion and a wave of airstrikes from its neighbor Israel that drew growing international condemnation and concern Tuesday.

by: MSN

Basingstoke MP welcomes Labour government's new 'Plan for Change'

Basingstoke's MP has praised the Labour Government's new 'Plan for Change'. The plan, outlined by the prime minister, aims to improve housebuilding, the economy, the NHS, clean power, education and crime by the end of this Parliament.

by: MSN

Our dysfunctional systems and institutions

LAST week's column laid down several predicates, which my guest columnist Patmei Ruivivar eloquently articulated. On one level, she made a case for Sara's blatant contrived meltdown as a diversion from legislative investigations pinning her and her staff down on corruption and anomalies,

by: MSN

Trump's DOJ secretly obtained phone and text message records of lawmakers and staffers

The Trump-era investigation into leaks of classified information was far broader than previously known, according to a report by the DOJ's internal watchdog.

by: MSN

EXCLUSIVE: Dozens Of Veterans Who Served With Pete Hegseth Sign Letter Backing Him For Defense Secretary

Dozens of veterans and servicemembers who directly served with Pete Hegseth are pledging their support for the Fox News host as he battles to be confirmed as the next secretary of defense, the Daily Caller learned first.

by: MSN

Democrats demand answers from Trump pick Mehmet Oz on 'Medicare privatization'

Democratic senators pressed Dr. Mehmet Oz on his past "advocacy for Medicare privatization" after Donald Trump picked him to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

by: MSN

Papineau and Lalonde: Stop treating Ottawa taxpayers as an annoyance, councillors

We live in a representative democracy. Politicians ask us for our votes, and we vote for them based on expectations they will deliver on their promises and reflect public opinion. The City of Ottawa is in budget 2025 season.

by: MSN

Capitol Connection: Breaking down the Madigan trial and it's long list of witnesses

The trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continues in Chicago. The two sides have been presenting their cases for well over a month, and there is still a lot to cover. Madigan is charged with bribery,

by: MSN

Healthcare to get boost in Welsh Government budget to tackle NHS waiting lists

An extra £1.5 billion is being put into public service, as part of the Welsh Government's proposed £26 billion budget for 2025-26.

by: MSN

Trump makes picks for roles in Justice Department, Office of Management and Budget

President-elect Donald Trump made two selections for roles within the Department of Justice and Office of Management and Budget.

by: MSN

It is time for justice and accountability in Syria

That day has come, and shaping the future of Syria is now a new terrain of contestation, hopefully a productive one. It is far too early to be making declarations about what will happen next in Syria.

by: MSN

Under Russian Gazprom's thumb: Moldova faces new energy crisis and needs Ukraine's help

An energy crisis brewing in Moldova could escalate into a political one. Read the RBC-Ukraine article on why Russia is interested in this and who can help Chisinau. Contents ・Gas shortage - Problem #1 ・Chisinau fears crisis in Transnistria ・Electricity - Problem #2 ・Help from Ukraine for Moldova ・Crisis and its consequences Moldova has not

by: MSN

US to offer minimum acreage required at Alaska oil and gas auction

The Biden administration will offer oil and gas drilling leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge at a sale on Jan. 9, the U.S. Interior Department said on Monday. The agency will make 400,000 acres (161,

by: MSN

Russia takes step towards recognising Afghanistan's Taliban government

Russia moved a step closer towards recognising the Taliban government of Afghanistan on Tuesday as parliament voted in favour of a law that would make it possible to remove the Taliban from Moscow's list of banned terrorist organisations.

by: MSN

Mohammed Al-Bashir appointed head of Syrian government until March 2025

By bnm Egypt bureau Syrian armed factions have appointed Mohammed Al-Bashir to take over as the acting head of government in Syria until March 1, 2025, SANA reported on December 10. Al-Bashir will be succeeding Mohammad Jalali,

by: MSN

Support Reason To Support Free Speech and Open Debate

Webathon is just about over. But it's not too late to give! So before this once-a-year give-us-your-money party concludes, I want to make one more appeal: Give us your money, because Reason will always stand on the side of open debate and free speech.

by: MSN

Wake up with the Washington Examiner: Republicans unified in squeezing DC and how Trump can target birthright citizenship

by: MSN

Judicial overhaul champion Rothman says Netanyahu trial motivated him to join politics

The post Judicial overhaul champion Rothman says Netanyahu trial motivated him to join politics appeared first on The Times of Israel.

by: MSN

Under Pressure, Biden Opts For Minimum Acreage Possible In Drilling Decision

The Biden administration announced on Monday it will proceed with the smallest possible oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This move barely meets the mandates set by Congress,

by: MSN

Abia: Otti budgets N750.2bn for 2025, allocates 35% to education, health

by: MSN

G-7 to Endorse Syrian Transition as Qatar Reaches Out to Rebels

Group of Seven leaders are willing to support a new Syrian government if the transition process respects minorities, while Qatar has become one of the first nations to establish communication with the rebels that toppled President Bashar al-Assad.

by: MSN

DOJ v. DEI: Trump's Justice Department likely to target diversity programs

President-elect Donald Trump is set to challenge policies aimed at boosting diversity at companies and universities when he takes office next month, throwing the weight of the U.S. government behind growing conservative opposition to such practices.

by: MSN

What Happens Next in Syria?

The speed of the rebel offensive, which culminated with the capture of Damascus, left its instigators little time to plan for what happens next. The main leader of the rebellion called for respect for Syria's institutions,

by: MSN

Israel hits Syria with airstrikes, seizes buffer territory after Assad's ouster

Fox News' Greg Palkot reports the latest after the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.

by: MSN

New lieutenant-governor of Saskatchewan talks volunteerism, curling and reconciliation

Bernadette McIntyre, a former CEO with the Wascana Centre Authority and Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame inductee, will be Saskatchewan's next lieutenant-governor. She stopped by the CBC/Radio-Canada station in Regina to talk about what she hopes to achieve in her new role.

by: MSN

Remembering Donald Trump's last political abduction racket

Miller went on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" and told slavering host Maria Bartiromo that on Inauguration Day, his master, Donald Trump, plans to "issue a series of executive orders that seal the border shut and begin the largest deportation operation in American history.

by: MSN

UN says Israel bombardment of Syria 'must stop'

The UN special envoy for Syria called Tuesday on Israel to halt its military movements and bombardments in Syria, after a war monitor reported 300 air strikes since the fall of president Bashar al-Assad.

by: MSN

Ex-DOJ officials sound alarm on Trump's 'incredibly harmful' Bondi and Patel picks

During his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump vowed to nominate only MAGA loyalists for positions within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and use them as instruments of revenge against his political enemies.

by: MSN

Israel's Netanyahu Testifies in Corruption Trial for First Time

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stand on Tuesday to testify in his long-running corruption trial even as he manages a multi-front war—underscoring the tensions around his leadership Netanyahu,

by: MSN

Live Briefing: Israel launches dozens of airstrikes on Syria, draws U.N. condemnation

Assad's fall, targeted Syrian military facilities, including a possible chemical weapons facility, said two Western officials.

by: MSN

UK 'keeping close eye' on British jihadists in Syria - minister

Home Office minister Angela Eagle tells the BBC that UK intelligence services are monitoring the situation.

What Assad's fall means beyond Syria

Russia and Iran scramble to forge new ties with Syrian rebels as Israel seeks to exploit opportunities and Turkey emerges as 'main winner'
The article from The Week discusses the broader implications of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's potential fall from power. It highlights that Assad's regime has been a key player in regional politics, with significant influence over Hezbollah in Lebanon, and has been a counterbalance to both Sunni Islamist movements and Israeli interests. The fall of Assad could lead to a power vacuum, potentially escalating the Syrian conflict into a wider regional war involving various international actors like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United States. This scenario could destabilize the Middle East further, possibly leading to increased sectarian violence, a refugee crisis, and shifts in the geopolitical landscape, including changes in the balance of power between Sunni and Shia factions, and affecting global energy markets due to Syria's strategic location. Moreover, the article notes that Assad's ouster might not necessarily lead to democracy but could instead result in another authoritarian regime or a fragmented state, influencing global counter-terrorism strategies and the fight against groups like ISIS.

Read the Full THE WEEK Article at:
https://theweek.com/politics/what-assads-fall-means-beyond-syria