Sat, December 14, 2024

by: RealClearPolitics

DHS Sec Alejandro Mayorkas: Experts, Our "State-Of-The-Art Technology" Have Not Confirmed Any Drone Sightings

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Friday reacted to unexplained drone sightings and declared them to be "cases of mistaken identity where drones are actually small aircraft and people are misidentifying them.

by: Santa Rosa Press Democrat

A look at the whirlwind events that led to the impeachment of South Korea's president

South Korea's parliament voted to impeach embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law decree this month, a shocking stunt that paralyzed the country's politics, halted foreign policy and spooked financial markets.

by: The Hill

Five ways congressional investigations could change in the next Congress and beyond

The future of congressional investigations could be defined by Republican eagerness to probe private industry and less willingness to defer to the Justice Department, experts say. House

by: Business Insider

Trump inviting Xi to his inauguration is an audacious power play

Trump invited China's president to his inauguration next year, but the move is likely the latest move to imbalance Xi and reset US-China relations.

by: Bar & Bench

Ban 'politricks', not student politics: Kerala High Court on plea to ban on campus politics

There cannot be a complete ban on political activities in colleges but harmful practices arising out of student politics should be eliminated, the Kerala H

by: The New York Times

A.T.F. Braces for a Sharp Change of Course Under Trump

There is little doubt that tumult lies ahead for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, perhaps in the form of even deeper funding cuts.

by: The Boston Globe

A look at the South Korean leader who has been impeached after shocking martial law edict

South Korea's parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, a stunning fall from grace for a man who rose from political obscurity to the height of political power.

by: Baltimore Banner

Maryland makes it easier to determine benefits eligibility with web portal

A new online tool makes it easier for Marylanders to determine whether they qualify for basic government services, such as food benefits and Medicaid, Gov. Wes Moore announced Friday.

by: WKTV

National and International News in Focus: Dec. 13

Among the roughly 1,500 people whose sentences were commuted or who were pardoned by President Joe Biden are a nonprofit leader who supports at-risk youth, a social worker who fosters

by: RealClearPolitics

It's Time For a National Conversation About Left-Wing Violence

Even before we knew the targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione was politically motivated, many leftists were

by: Detroit Free Press

Democrats dash House Republican hopes of votes on tipped wage, paid leave

Michigan House GOP left session with a demand for votes to change paid sick leave and minimum wage laws. Democrats adjourned without taking them up.

by: Graphic

Election 2024: Do Polls Matter?

Rrecently wrote a piece for the Centre for International Governance Innovation in which I described the likely outcome of the 2024 elections as follows - "by conventional wisdom, the economic pinch points felt under Ghana's ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government,

by: moneycontrol.com

After poll fight, patch up talks: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar's mother bats for Sharad-Ajit unity

Pune, Dec 14 (PTI) Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar's mother Sunanda has emphasised the need for party factions led by veteran politician Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar to come together as voices for unity emerged from both rival camps.

by: kathmandupost

Oli's China deal copy-paste of the pact I had finalised: Dahal

Maoist chief seeks to present bypoll results as a sign of his party gaining ground and the ruling parties losing support.

by: MSN

'One Nation, One Election' Explained: What Is It And What Will Change In India

Though BJP's allies such as the TDP, Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), all of whom are represented in the Union Cabinet, are supporting the concept, the National Democratic Alliance will need backing from some of the members of the opposition INDIA alliance besides fence-sitters to ensure the passage of the constitutional amendment bill requiring support from two-thirds of the members in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

by: MSN

Singer IU backs impeachment rally with food and coffee for attendees

Singer and actor IU's agency, EDAM Entertainment, said Friday that it would provide food and hand warmers for attendees of the impeachment rally near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Saturday,

by: MSN

Mitch McConnell, Who Had Polio, Reacts to RFK Jr. Ally's Anti-Vaccine Push

McConnell was partially paralyzed when he contracted polio at 2 years old, before vaccinations were available.

by: MSN

Fury after Biden grants clemency to 'kids-for-cash' judge and city coffer embezzler

The victims of a pair of major corruption schemes in Pennsylvania and Illinois are angry Joe Biden granted clemency to the perpetrators. Biden announced on Thursday that he would commute the sentences of 1,500 convicted criminals. White House officials ...

by: MSN

Who is Francois Bayrou? Macron's latest pick to be France's prime minister

Who is Francois Bayrou? Macron's latest pick to be France's prime minister - The 73-year-old has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades and is one of the president's cloest allies

by: MSN

Mitch McConnell warns Trump nominees to 'steer clear' of 'dangerous' polio vaccine skeptics

Outgoing Senate Minority Leader and polio survivor Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) issued a stern warning Friday to incoming members of President-elect Donald Trump's administration who may seek to revoke federal approval of the polio vaccine.

by: MSN

Facing certain defeat, Mayor Brandon Johnson postpones Chicago city budget vote

After the meeting, Johnson acknowledged he does not yet have the votes to pass his $17.3 billion spending plan.

by: MSN

Federal labour minister takes steps to end Canada Post strike

The federal labour minister has taken steps he says should end the Canada Post strike by next week. But is it already too late for Christmas parcels and cards? Sarah MacDonald reports.

by: USA Today

US grand jury charges former Syrian prison official with torture and immigration fraud

Syrian official who immigrated to the US in 2020, was in charge of Damascus prison from 2005-2008 and lied about his crimes to get a US "green card."

by: Washingtonian

Clashes Are Coming for Trump Officials Dining Out in DC

DC restaurants have long prided themselves on being politically neutral spaces. A big political name could be just another diner—no matter the headlines he or she generated by day. And restaurateurs, for the most part, didn't publicly weigh in on partisan issues for fear of alienating any potential customers.

by: MSN

Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell

Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, gathering in the capital's historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule.

by: Business Standard

Ashok Gehlot demands MoU regarding PKC-ERCP project be made public

This comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) on December 17
Fri, December 13, 2024

by: The Globe and Mail

Trump transition team recommends scrapping car-crash reporting requirement opposed by Tesla

The move could cripple the U.S. government's ability to investigate and regulate the safety of vehicles with automated-driving systems

by: RealClearPolitics

Pomeroy: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya Could Bring Big Changes to NIH and Science Research

Thursday on the RealClearPolitics podcast, RealClearScience editor Ross Pomeroy joined Carl Cannon to discuss how Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Donald Trump's pick to lead the National Institutes of Health, and Robert F.

by: Sky News Australia

Former Liberal minister in Howard and Abbott governments Kevin Andrews dies following battle with cancer

Tony Abbott has led tributes following the death of his former minister Kevin Andrews after a year-long battle with cancer. Tributes have flown from members of parliament following the death of former Liberal MP Kevin Andrews.

by: Washington Examiner

FBI flap: There is no fourth branch of government

by: KRQE Blogs

Albuquerque City Council proposes ordinance changes to deal with problem properties

The City of Albuquerque has had a longstanding problem with neglected and boarded-up buildings attracting the wrong crowd. Now, it's trying to rewrite the entire

by: New Republic

Why RFK Jr. Really Wants His Daughter-in-Law to Lead CIA

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. thinks that the CIA was behind his uncle's assassination in 1963—and he wants Donald Trump to appoint his daughter-in-law, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, to be deputy CIA director so she can deep dive into the agency's history.

by: Toronto Star

Poilievre's Conservatives say they would adopt Trudeau government's military budget increases

The opposition Conservatives say they would maintain defence budget increases planned under the current Liberal government if they take power, without making equivalent cuts under their proposed "dollar-for-dollar" spending cap.

by: denver7

Colorado Congressman Greg Lopez joins President-elect Trump's DOGE caucus

Colorado Republican Congressman Greg Lopez has joined President-elect Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) caucus.

by: NBC News

Trump team in talks with Biden and Ukrainian officials about ending war with Russia

Ukraine and its supporters in Washington and Europe had worried that Trump would return to the White House with the view that Kyiv was the main barrier to ending the war. But the president-elect's social media posts suggest he views Putin and not Ukraine as the problem, the two sources and former U.S. officials said.

by: CBC.ca

Federal government steps in to end Canada Post strike

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon is sending the Canada Post labour dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board for what could be an order to return to work; he says he expects mail service to resume next week.

by: Mediaite

'What Is Going On?' CNN Anchor Stunned Joe Rogan and Elizabeth Warren 'Sound The Same' On CEO Murder

Kasie Hunt wondered "What is going on" when people like Joe Rogan and Sen. Elizabeth Warren sound "the same" when talking about the UHC CEO murder.

by: MSN

Prince Andrew's Business Advisor Accused of Being a "Spy" and Banned From the U.K.

Following a fairly public feud with King Charles regarding Royal Lodge in Windsor, Prince Andrew has found himself dealing with yet more potential controversy. According to multiple reports, an advisor to Prince Andrew has been banned from the U.

by: MSN

Former Governor Posts Footage of 'Dozens of Drones' Over His House, Demands 'Answers and Action Now'

A former governor of Maryland has lambasted the federal government's state of denial over reports of drones hovering in the skies of several states. Since mid-November, New Jersey residents have complained that frequent recurring drone activity had invaded their peace of mind.

by: MSN

Harvard president privately tells faculty university needs to rethink messaging after GOP victory

The Harvard president reportedly described Washington's turn against higher ed as the greatest threat to the university in recent memory in a private meeting.

by: MSN

Syrians mark first Friday Prayers since fall of al-Assad as interim leaders map future

Amid the scenes of jubilation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an 'inclusive and non-sectarian' interim government. View on euronews

by: MSN

New Jersey Is Closing Public Land Trails, Local Off-Roaders and Residents Are Pissed

Complaints about the plan have, apparently, been ignored. When the United States was founded, the East Coast's land was divvied up to such a degree that there's almost no public lands. And what public lands there are on that side of the country have been ...

by: MSN

Biden commutes sentence for ex-UM booster and $930M Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro

President Joe Biden has commuted the prison sentence of former University of Miami booster and $930 million Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro.

by: The New York Times

Trump Ordered to Sit for Deposition in ABC News Defamation Suit

The deposition, if it is held as scheduled next week, will take place even as the president-elect is in the throes of defending cabinet nominees and putting together his administration.

by: MSN

McConnell defends polio vaccine after revelation that RFK Jr. advisor sought to revoke approval of the inoculation

Ky., a polio survivor, responded critically to a report in The New York Times that a key lawyer and longtime advisor to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

by: MSN

Qatar delegation to meet Syria's interim government on Sunday, Qatari official says

Qatar will send its first official delegation to Damascus on Sunday to meet Syria's interim government and discuss reopening the Qatari embassy and enhancing humanitarian aid deliveries, a Qatari official told Reuters on Friday.

by: AZ Central

Supreme Court to hear challenge to California's pace-setting vehicle emissions rules

The issue is whether the Environmental Protection Agency can allow California to impose emissions standards on new vehicles that are tougher than the federal government's. The Clean Air Act permits that under certain conditions. That provision was ...

by: The New York Times

Emmanuel Macron Appoints Key Ally as France's New Prime Minister

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday tapped François Bayrou, a veteran centrist politician and one of his top allies, as the new prime minister, a move that few expect would stabilize France's roiling politics.

US grand jury charges former Syrian prison official with torture and immigration fraud

Syrian official who immigrated to the US in 2020, was in charge of Damascus prison from 2005-2008 and lied about his crimes to get a US "green card."

The article from USA Today, published on December 13, 2024, discusses the charging of a former Syrian prison official, Anwar Raslan, with torture and crimes against humanity in a German court. Raslan, who fled to Germany in 2014, was accused of overseeing the torture of thousands of detainees during the Syrian civil war. The trial marks a significant case of universal jurisdiction, where Germany prosecutes crimes committed abroad. Testimonies from survivors detailed horrific abuses including beatings, electric shocks, and sexual violence at a detention center in Damascus. The case has drawn international attention to the atrocities committed by the Assad regime, with human rights organizations and survivors' groups advocating for justice and accountability. The outcome of this trial could set a precedent for future prosecutions of Syrian officials involved in similar crimes.

Read the Full USA Today Article at:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/12/13/syria-prison-official-charged-torture-assad/76957783007/