• Wed, December 11, 2024

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: 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: Charlotte Observer

North Carolinians to see a voter ID constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot

As the year wraps up, taking with it the GOP's legislative supermajority, Republican lawmakers in the North Carolina House passed a bill Wednesday to revise the state constitution's language regarding voter identification.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: www.hks.harvard.edu

Understanding the causes and likely outcomes of the South Korean political crisis

Harvard Kennedy School's adjunct lecturer in public policy and East Asia political expert, Jeeyang Rhee Baum, examines South Korea's political crisis, its democratic challenges, and the implications for its role in East Asia's evolving landscape.

by: Yahoo

Kari Lake appointed by Trump to government media post

Kari Lake will serve as director of the Voice of America. That puts Lake, who lost bids for senator and governor in Arizona, in a familiar setting.

by: Sacramento Bee

California Congressman introduces bill to defund the state's high-speed rail project

Rep. Kevin Kiley said federal funding should go toward fixing California's roads, rather than building high-speed rail.

by: MSN

Government demands 'immediate, mandatory' housing plans from councils to build 1.5m homes

The government is today demanding "immediate, mandatory" housing targets from councils as part of its plans to build 1.5 million houses by the next general election.

by: MSN

Telangana Government receives 80L applications under Indiramma housing scheme

HYDERABAD: Revenue and Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy on Wednesday instructed the officials to complete the process of verifying applications received from prospective beneficiaries under the state government's flagship Indiramma Housing Scheme by December 31.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: MSN

Government refuses to commit to funding major Leicester hospitals transformation

Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)

by: MSN

Adams County Board approves new board chair and tax levy

Adams county board meeting, Bret Austin was voted in as the new Adams County Board Chair.The board voted in favor with 15 members voting yes,

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: MSN

Assistant Trade Minister reacts to critical comparison of PM and NSW Premier

Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres has reacted to the comparison made between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns in their responses to the antisemitic attacks.

by: MSN

St. Louis County lawmaker makes pitch to consolidate St. Louis County and St. Louis City

A St. Louis County lawmaker is making the newest pitch to consolidate St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis.

by: MSN

What happens next now that voters have decided to change North Sioux City's form of government?

Voters, in North Sioux City, South Dakota, chose to change their city's form of government during a special election, on Tuesday. Right now, North Sioux City's city government consists of a mayor and eight aldermen,

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.
  • Thu, December 12, 2024

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.

by: U.S. News & World Report

What to Know About Bashar Assad, Syria's Fallen Dictator

Bashar Assad instead became a doctor in the 1980s and was studying in London to be an ophthalmologist in the early 1990s. But when Basil Assad died in a car accident in 1994, Bashar Assad was recalled to Syria to replace his brother as heir apparent.

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: 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: The Independent

Missouri introduces 'Donald Trump' bill that makes it legal for people with felonies to run for office

New legislation would repeal a 2015 law that prevents those who were found guilty or pleaded guilty to a felony from running for local or statewide office

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: Sydney Morning Herald

'Better than a veto': NRL soft power play packs a secret punch on China

The announcement of a new NRL team was about so much more than a new NRL team. The setting of the press conference told the story.

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: 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,

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/