• Wed, December 11, 2024

by: CBS News

Blinken defends Afghanistan withdrawal at contentious House hearing

The secretary of state's testimony comes months after Republicans issued a scathing report on the Biden administration's handling of the exit from Afghanistan.

by: The New York Times

North Carolina G.O.P. Brushes Aside Democratic Governor to Expand Power

After cloaking a bill that strips key powers from Democrats as hurricane aid, the state's Republican-controlled legislature overrode a veto from Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, to pass it into law.

by: New York Sun

Trumpism Goes Global: America's Peaceful Citizen Uprising Inspires Political Rebellion Across the World

Entrenched political leaders and parties are being tumultuously evicted in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Asia.

by: The Conversation

US secretary of education helps set national priorities in a system primarily funded and guided by local governments

If Republicans manage to achieve a long-standing goal by getting rid of the Department of Education, there wouldn't be a secretary of education anymore.

by: Ghanaweb.com

No official vehicle shall be acquired by appointees of the current administration - Government

The Office of the President has reiterated its directive prohibiting political appointees from acquiring official government vehicles as the current administration comes to an end.

by: Click2Houston

Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East this week on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year.

by: Le Monde.fr

Syria's new government makes first steps, searching for legitimacy

By appointing Mohammed al-Bashir as Syria's transitional prime minister on Tuesday, the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham seems intent on cementing its control.

by: WBAL-TV

Justice Department ignored some policies when seizing reporters' phone records, watchdog finds

A watchdog report reveals the Justice Department sidestepped rules in media leak investigations under the Trump administration, raising concerns about press freedom.

by: pulse.com.gh

Check full list of Akufo-Addo and John Mahama's 2024 Transition Team

President Akufo-Addo and President-elect John Dramani Mahama have both announced their respective members of the 2024 transition team

by: Buffalo News

Legislators want a policy on who can use Erie County suite in new Bills stadium

In light of past controversies related to the use of New York State's luxury box at Highmark Stadium, Legislature Chairwoman April Baskin wants there to be a clear policy on how the county's suite will be used two years from now.

by: Richmond

Del. McQuinn announces reelection bid, faces primary challenge

Henrico, announced her bid for reelection Tuesday evening standing alongside most of East End Henrico's elected officials. McQuinn faces a primary challenge from Henrico School Board Chair Alicia Atkins.

by: The State

SC lawmakers are reviving private school vouchers, hoping to overcome court challenge

SC's state Senators introduced a new version of the state's trust fund scholarship program that the Supreme Court struck down. The proposal is a top priority for Republican lawmakers.

by: Trinidad Express Newspapers

Tobago a pivotal 'battleground' in election

Tobago can be a pivotal "battleground" in the 2025 general election and determine the next Government, according to political analysts.Whilst there are nine marginal constituencies in Trinidad, the ex

by: KWWL

CNN Poll: Most Americans approve how Trump is handling his return to the White House

Most Americans expect President-elect Donald Trump to do a good job upon his return to the White House next month (54%) and a majority approves of how he's

by: Daily Mail

DAN HODGES: From Blairite centrist to social justice warrior, how David Lammy has changed his political persona over the years - and now has a budding bromance with Trump's VP

David Lammy is in the firing line again. On Monday the Foreign Secretary rose in the Commons to hail the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Or, as Lammy opted to describe him, 'the rat of Damascus'.

by: Politico Europe

Germany to enable 'voluntary, secure' returns for Syrian refugees

"Voluntary, secure and dignified returns — which we have always called for — now appear, for the first time in years, to be within the bounds of the possible," the German Federal Foreign Office said in an eight-point plan for a free and democratic Syria, seen by POLITICO.

by: Channel NewsAsia Singapore

France's Macron expected to name new PM on Thursday

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron will likely name a new prime minister on Thursday, a government source told AFP on Wednesday (Dec 11), almost

by: The Hindu

India does not endorse Hasina's statements: Vikram Misri

Former Bangladesh PM's criticism of interim govt. a pinprick in bilateral ties, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri tells House panel; New Delhi's ties with Dhaka are not based on a 'single political party',

by: CBC.ca

Trump taunts Trudeau by calling him 'governor' of 'a great state'

President-elect Donald Trump took a jab at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, calling him a "governor" and referring to Canada as a "great state" — another suggestion by the incoming president that this country should be part of the United States.

by: U.S. News & World Report

FBI Director Chris Wray to Resign Following Trump Nomination of Patel

Trump himself had appointed Wray, a fellow Republican, to his 10-year term in 2017, after firing his predecessor James Comey, who the then-president soured on over the FBI's investigations into alleged contacts between his 2016 campaign and Russia.

by: Associated Press

Jim Leach, former US representative from Iowa, dies at 82

Former U.S. Rep. Jim Leach has died at age 82. He served 30 years as a politician from eastern Iowa. He later headed the National Endowment for the Humanities.

by: World Socialist Web Site

Sri Lankan parliament unanimously approves IMF austerity measures

The next budget will mean further increases in taxes, utility rates and fuel prices, as well as slashing vital public services and a fire-sale of state-owned enterprises, destroying hundreds of thousands of jobs.

by: The Bismarck Tribune

First South Dakota bovine TB case in 3 years won't impact North Dakota requirements

The confirmation of the first case of bovine tuberculosis in South Dakota in three years will not immediately change any cattle import requirements in North Dakota.

by: The Independent

FBI director Christopher Wray will resign ahead of Trump's plan to replace him with Kash Patel

FBI Director Christopher Wray has signaled his intention to quit his post next month ahead of Donald Trump 's inauguration as president, creating a vacancy that Trump intends to fill with loyalist Kash Patel.

by: Raleigh News & Observer

NC elections board rejects GOP challenge of 60,000 ballots in Supreme Court race

The idea that someone could have been registered to vote, came to vote and then has their vote discarded is anathema to the democratic system and simply cannot be tolerated," Board Chair Alan Hirsch said.

by: ACHR News

HVAC Legislation: 2024 Year in Review

HVACR political insiders talk about some of the year's most important developments, and about what might be ahead for the industry in Washington, D.C.

by: The Victoria Advocate

France's Macron races to choose new PM

French President Emmanuel Macron raced Wednesday to meet a self-imposed 48-hour deadline to name a new prime minister after he hosted party bosses in a bid to hammer out a

by: WESH

FBI Director Christopher Wray says he intends to resign at the end of President Biden's term

At a town hall meeting with the bureau workforce, Wray said he would be stepping down "after weeks of careful thought."

by: World Socialist Web Site

Australian think tank urges social media campaigns to target youth for military propaganda

None of these conflicts have a popular mandate. There is significant concern in ruling circles that youth are increasingly hostile to war the associated attacks on democratic rights.

by: Associated Press

Macron seeks political deal to name a new prime minister and restore France's stability

A spokesperson for France's outgoing government says President Emmanuel Macron is seeking a political deal that would allow him to both name a new prime minister and "guarantee the stability of the country.

by: The Independent

Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump's ambassador to Greece, once called Greeks 'freeloaders' who should be punished

Co-hosting the Fox News panel show 'The Five' in July 2015, Kimberly Guilfoyle suggested that Greek citizens were too dependent on the government, calling on them to work harder and 'suck it up'

by: U.S. News & World Report

FBI Director Chris Wray Resigns Following Trump Nomination of Patel

Trump himself had appointed Wray, a fellow Republican, to his 10-year term in 2017, after firing his predecessor James Comey, who the then-president soured on over the FBI's investigations into alleged contacts between his 2016 campaign and Russia.

by: Politico Europe

How France's political crisis threatens military expenditures

"The military is worried, and that's normal, everyone is in a bit of a wait-and-see mode," Hélène Conway-Mouret, a Socialist senator who co-drafted a report on France's 2025 defense budget, told POLITICO.

by: Charlotte Observer

Why this Western NC lawmaker flipped his vote, helping Republicans pass power-shift bill

Rep. Mark Pless' problems with the bill had nothing to do with its restructuring of power in state government. How he was reassured after originally voting "no."

by: Yahoo

NC Republicans pass law shifting government power, overriding Cooper's veto

North Carolina lawmakers approved a wide-ranging bill to shift executive power in state government on Wednesday, cementing a Republican override of Gov. Roy Cooper's veto a month before new elected officials are sworn in.

by: Politico Europe

Macron working to strip far right of influence on next French government

The French president is trying to limit the far-right National Rally's influence and find a way forward with the center left, but a path ahead remains elusive.

by: The Independent

FA explains decision to back Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup hosts despite human rights concerns

The sole Saudi Arabia bid was wave through unopposed, while the 2030 World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain following games in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay

by: The Independent

North Korea breaks silence on South Korean martial law crisis

North Korea has broken its silence on the political crisis in rival South for the first time, accusing president Yoon Suk Yeol of a "fascist dictatorship", a week after his botched attempt to impose martial law in the country.

by: The Independent

New Budget blow to Rachel Reeves as disability charity says it may be forced to scrap key services

A leading disability charity has warned it may be forced to stop running dozens of services as a result of Rachel Reeves ' tax hikes in the Budget. Mencap said it could be forced to stop providing at least 60 of its services as a result of the so-called 'charity tax', the rise in National Insurance paid by employers.

by: The Independent

Farmers' protest live: Tractors descending upon London as pressure intensifies on Starmer over inheritance tax

More than 300 farmers are expected to drive their tractors on Westminster ahead of Sir Keir Starmer answering prime minister's questions

by: The Independent

Trump set to be named Time's 'Person of the Year' with 40 days to inauguration: Live

This will mark the second time Trump has been named Time's "Person of the Year," and to celebrate, he will reportedly ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday morning. The honor comes as Trump continues to fill out his administration before he takes office January 20.

by: MSN

Iowa Senator on upcoming Congress and involvement with confirmation of Trump nominees

Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) are working closely with the incoming Trump Administration, hoping to confirm nominees who will "d

by: MSN

As Teenagers, They Protested Trump's Climate Policy. Now What?

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: An earlier version of this article stated incorrectly the destination of Greta Thunberg's return sailing voyage across the Atlantic in 2019.

by: MSN

County commissioners honor Steven Michael Quezada's service to Bernalillo County

County commissioners honor Steven Michael Quezada's service to Bernalillo County

by: MSN

Zelenskyy: Russians killed 50 priests and destroyed 700 churches in Ukraine since war began

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Russians have killed 50 priests and destroyed about 700 churches in Ukraine. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with CBN Quote: "The Russians treat some Ukrainian churches similarly to the way they treat schools.

by: MSN

Republicans Introduce Bills to Cut Federal Workforce, Salaries as Musk, Ramaswamy Begin Government-Efficiency Work

Republican lawmakers are introducing a package of bills to improve government efficiency as businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy spearhead President-elect Donald Trump's advisory commission on curtailing government waste.

by: MSN

NC lawmakers pass constitutional amendment requiring voter photo ID in-person and by mail

Before ending the short session, Republican legislators pushed through a constitutional amendment that NC voters will see on the 2026 ballot.

by: MSN

Canada Post and postal workers union still far apart in negotiations

The two sides in the Canada Post strike appear further apart than ever with the company saying the most recent offer by the union takes 'major steps backwards.' And as Alexandre Silberman shows us, that's cause for concern for those whose essential documents are now caught in the middle.

Blinken defends Afghanistan withdrawal at contentious House hearing

The secretary of state's testimony comes months after Republicans issued a scathing report on the Biden administration's handling of the exit from Afghanistan.
In a recent hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended the Biden administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal in August 2021. Blinken acknowledged the chaotic scenes at Kabul airport but emphasized that the evacuation was an "extraordinary feat" under the circumstances, with over 120,000 people airlifted out. He faced tough questioning from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers about the lack of planning for worst-case scenarios, the rapid collapse of the Afghan government, and the tragic loss of 13 American service members in a suicide bombing. Blinken admitted there were lessons to be learned but maintained that the ultimate decision to withdraw was correct, pointing out that the Trump administration had left them with a withdrawal agreement and a significantly reduced military presence. He also highlighted the administration's efforts to relocate and resettle Afghan allies, although he acknowledged that not all who wanted to leave could be evacuated.

Read the Full CBS News Article at:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blinken-testifies-afghanistan-withdrawal-house-foreign-affairs-committee/