Thu, December 12, 2024

by: The Hindu

South Korean President Yoon defends martial law decree, denies rebellion charges

South Korea's president defends martial law decree, faces impeachment attempts, and investigations into rebellion charges.

by: MSN

NY taxpayers could get up to $500 'refund' checks under Hochul plan

Most New York taxpayers would get checks for up to $500 from Albany next year under a new proposal by Gov. Kathy Hochul that must be approved by state lawmakers. Hochul announced her "inflation refund" idea on Monday as the first preview of her annual State of the State speech,

by: CBS News

See the list of Trump Cabinet picks and more White House appointments so far

Here's a list of people President-elect Donald Trump has chosen for critical Cabinet posts and top White House jobs.

by: U.S. News & World Report

Germany's Scholz to Submit Parliament Request to Hold Confidence Vote

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set on Wednesday to submit a request to parliament to hold a vote of confidence, the necessary precursor to holding new federal elections after the collapse of his coalition last month.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

All hail the Tech Right: Why Trump's new bromances are even worse than the last

While Donald Trump's first inner circle may have tested democracy through its sheer chaos, the new guard presents a much greater threat that expands well beyond America.

by: The Independent

Angela Rayner forces councils to surrender green belt with immediate new housing targets

Labour prime minister Keir Starmer has promised to build 1.5 million new homes over five years to fix the housing crisis

by: Corvallis Gazette-Times

Philomath gets a new look (at least, its logo does)

It's the year of the rebrand for Benton County, and Philomath does not want to miss the train. This week, councilors were introduced to the city's new logo.
Wed, December 11, 2024

by: Hindustan Times

BJP playing petty politics: HPCC chief Pratibha

Pratibha Singh was reacting to the memorandum given to the governor by the state BJP leaders in protest against the two-year celebration of the state government

by: ABC12

Poll: Most Americans approve how Trump is handling transition

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 handling the

by: Missoulian

Missoula police approved for $515K Taser deal; evaluating AI report-writing software

Missoula Police Chief Mike Colyer said he's cautious about an artificial intelligence program that writes 80% of initial police reports, but he'll consider using it.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

TikTok caught in Australian tech charge as Labor unveils Meta fightback

Meta, Google and TikTok will within the scope of the charge, referred to as a News Media Bargaining Incentive, as they earn Australian revenue of more than $250 million.

by: Sacramento Bee

California economy faces 'many new unknowns' with second Donald Trump term, forecast says

California's most recent reported rate, in October, was 5.4%, the second highest state rate in the country. Nevada was first .The national rate was 4.1%. The UCLA Anderson forecast cited four areas where policy could dramatically shape the state's economy: Tariffs, immigration, taxes and regulations.

by: ProPublica

An Open Letter to Elon Musk

As Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy prepare for their roles as co-heads of the Department of Government Efficiency, they might look at the wasteful practices and spending by federal agencies ProPublica reporting has surfaced.

by: Auburn Citizen

Nearly $500K cut from proposed 2025 Cayuga County budget as final passage nears

The Cayuga County Legislature cut nearly $500,000 from the proposed 2025 budget during a special meeting Tuesday.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Raleigh News & Observer

Tillis kicks off 2026 campaign season, potentially his most expensive Senate race yet

Sen. Thom Tillis planned to make his 2026 reelection campaign for the Senate official Wednesday with an event in Washington hosted by around 20 of his colleagues.

by: ABC

Convicted Jan. 6 rioter says retired congressman invited him to Trump inauguration

A man who pleaded guilty to a felony for participation in the Capitol riot filed a letter showing he was invited by a retired congressman to attend the inauguration.

by: National Post

Former Blue Jays win multi-million-dollar tax battle against Canadian government

OTTAWA — Former Toronto Blue Jays all-stars Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin scored a major win against the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a Tax Court judge cried foul over the agency's attempt to tax millions of dollars in additional income.

by: Charlotte Observer

NC Republicans overturn Cooper's veto, taking power from Stein and other Democrats

With North Carolina Republicans set to lose their veto-proof supermajority come 2025, state lawmakers took their final vote Wednesday on a bill that takes away power from incoming Democrats in the executive branch, overturning a veto with a party-line 72-46 vote.

by: The Local

Full employment and no bureaucracy - what Hollande's government predicted for France in 2025

Back in 2013, then-president François Hollande set his ministers some homework before they went on their summer holidays - predict what France will look like in 2025. Here's what they said.

by: MSN

Government says DOJ subpoenaed Apple without authorization

DOJ demands for message and call data from Apple during the Trump administration, failed to obtain authorization, says the Office of the Inspector General in the current Biden administration.

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.

The article from Politico discusses Germany's plan to encourage the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, despite ongoing concerns about safety and stability in Syria. The German government, led by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, has initiated a pilot project aimed at assessing whether certain regions in Syria could be considered safe enough for returns. This move comes amidst increasing pressure from some political factions within Germany to reduce the number of asylum seekers. Critics argue that the situation in Syria remains volatile, with human rights abuses and lack of infrastructure making returns unsafe. The plan has sparked controversy, with opposition parties and human rights organizations condemning it as premature and potentially dangerous. The article highlights the tension between Germany's humanitarian obligations and the political push to manage migration flows, illustrating the complexities of refugee policy in Europe.

Read the Full Politico Europe Article at:
https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-syrian-refugees-return-plan/