• Sun, December 15, 2024

by: The Financial Times

Restitution, wrangling and renewal in Benin

The soldiers, disappointed not to find any of the kingdom's legendary treasure, raised a French flag and drank Béhanzin's gin. Some hours later, they started digging in one of the palaces. A cache of royal objects was revealed: sceptres, statues and ornately sculpted doors.

by: Reuters

Macron has a new prime minister but the same old problems

When veteran centrist Francois Bayrou, France's new prime minister, was education minister in the 1990s, his plan to increase subsidies for private schools led to nationwide protests. He quickly caved in and would stay in the post for four more years.

by: The New York Times

Weeks of Upheaval Have Paralyzed This South American Nation. Here's Why.

Protests in Bolivia triggered by a feud between the president and a political rival have caused turmoil. One fallout: fuel shortages that have left drivers lining up for gas for days.

by: Business Standard

Atishi accuses Centre of settling Rohingyas in Delhi; Puri denies claim

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, accusing the BJP-led Centre of settling "a large number of illegal Rohingyas" in different parts of the city.

by: The Pioneer

Atishi claims Centre settling Rohingyas in Delhi; 'false narrative', says Hardeep Puri

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, accusing the BJP-led Centre of settling "a large number of illegal Rohingyas" in different parts of the city. With the AAP

by: cnbctv18

Congress veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar revisits 2014 controversies and leadership missteps in new memoir

Aiyar, In his forthcoming book 'A Maverick in Politics' published by Juggernaut, talks about his early days in politics, navigating through the Narasimha Rao years, his time as a minister in UPA I, his Rajya Sabha term and then his

by: Couriermail

Peter Dutton comeback a shock blow for Anthony Albanese

In the more than a century of Australian political history, the nation's electorate has overwhelmingly been pretty forgiving of the missteps of federal governments in their first term in office.

by: Politico

Conservative Catholics hope to wield new influence in Trump's second administration

Joe Biden will leave the White House in January as only the second Catholic to occupy it. But a number of Catholics are expected to soon fill the ranks of Donald Trump's administration.

by: The Journal Times

South Hills development agreement approved

The Village Board on Tuesday approved a development agreement for the South Hills Commerce Center at the former South Hills Country Club location.

by: Daily Express

Keir Starmer blasted over free trade flip-flop as UK enters major new post-Brexit deal

The Prime Minister dismissed the previous government's deal as economically irrelevant, now he's celebrating our entry.

by: Business Today

'Pranab should've been PM, Manmohan President...': Mani Shankar Aiyar highlights Congress's 'doomed' move behind 2014 poll loss

On the matter of Pranab Mukherjee's potential role, Aiyar argued that Pranab's health, vigour, and political experience made him a better fit to lead the government. In contrast, Manmohan Singh, despite his distinguished service,

by: Sky News Australia

Victorian government slammed for prioritising 'demands of activists' with refusal to bring back Australia Day parade

The Victorian government has been accused of putting the "demands of activists" ahead of the preferences of mainstream Australians after it confirmed it would not bring back the state's Australia Day parade.

by: RealClearPolitics

Government Should Not Legitimate Systemic-Racism Confessions

Denizens of the nation’s colleges and universities take perverse pride in proclaiming that America – including higher education – embodies

by: The Times of Northwest Indiana

Holcomb will hang around Statehouse after term as governor ends

The official portrait of the state's 51st chief executive was unveiled Friday by Gov. Eric Holcomb and added to the Indiana Governors' Portrait Collection.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Workers bear more budget burden as company revenues slip

A slowdown in China amid fears of the fallout from the Trump presidency will wipe $8.5 billion from a federal budget already bleeding red ink.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Inside the race to bring the five remaining Bali Nine home

The sensitivities were so great that the families of the five men were told they could not be in Darwin to greet them when they landed.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

'Culture of control': Minister threatens council over 'silencing' dissent

Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has warned Georges River Council to do better over claims it has shut down criticism of its actions by councillors.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Teals unconvinced by Dutton's nuclear plan as Chalmers cites $4 trillion loss to economy

As the treasurer declared next year's federal election a referendum on nuclear power, the teal MPs who would be essential to a Coalition minority government emphasised the risks.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Liberal moderates were in the 'winner's circle' under Turnbull. It's a different story now

In 2019, there were about 22 members in the group that champions socially progressive causes. Now there are just 12 committed to staying on past the next election.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Five remaining Bali Nine members free men as they arrive back in Australia

Australians Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Si Yi Chen were accompanied back to Australia by government officials on a commercial flight on Sunday.

by: MSN

Trump announces more nominations, including Devin Nunes, Troy Edgar and Bill White

T rump on Saturday nominated Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes as chairman of his Intelligence Advisory Board, IBM executive Troy Edgar as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security and Bill White as ambassador to Belgium.

by: MSN

What Trump's Victory Means for US Diplomacy

After the sweeping 312 electoral vote victory from President-elect Donald Trump, war instigators are quaking, money funneling nations are preparing to take a hit on their usual payday from the U.S., and entire global power systems are groveling.

by: MSN

National Insurance 'will put voluntary sector on its knees'

One organisation providing social care services anticipates extra costs of up to £500,000.

by: MSN

'Let them down': Hundreds rally against antisemitism in Sydney

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma discusses the rally in Sydney against antisemitism and the message sent to the Albanese Labor government.

by: MSN

AAP releases final list of candidates for Delhi polls

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday (December 15) released its fourth and final list of 38 candidates for the Delhi Assembly elections.

by: MSN

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott: Trump's nominations cement Florida as the epicenter of the GOP

On November 5 th, after months of Democrats claiming Florida was still a swing state and in play, the voters painted the state red and delivered massive victories for myself, President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans down the ballot.

by: MSN

Home Office in row with Burnham and Labour councils over homeless asylum seekers

The Labour-mayor of Greater Manchester accused the Home Office of placing responsibility for asylum seekers on local authorities 'to suit it's own purposes'

by: MSN

South Korean democracy holds firm against Yoon's martial law bid

South Korea's swift rebuke of martial law and removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol from office have been hailed in the country as evidence of the strength of its young democratic institutions. Yoon has remained defiant throughout the turmoil that followed his martial law declaration.

by: MSN

Mt Kenya Won't Follow Gachagua, Uhuru if Their Politics Don't Align with Region's Interests

Former president Uhuru Kenyatta and Rigathi Gachagua seems to be reading from a different script, which some argue could leave the Mt Kenya electorate confused.

by: MSN

Taking away rights of Delhi residents: Atishi to Amit Shah on Rohingya issue

Atishi, in her letter, not only questioned the Centre's border security measures but also accused the BJP-led government of resettling Rohingyas in Delhi, thus taking away resources meant for its residents.

by: MSN

PM Modi invokes Nehru to distract nation's attention from his own 'failures': Congress

Congress countered Prime Minister Modi's criticism, accusing him of defaming Nehru to distract from his own failures. Jairam Ramesh highlighted Modi's "obsession" with Nehru, arguing that the Prime Minister invokes Nehru to divert attention from current challenges and pre-2014 achievements.

by: MSN

Governors demand drone crackdown amid security concerns

The governors of New York and New Jersey have called on the US authorities to investigate suspicious drone activity near significant facilities. According to the FAA, nearly one million drones are registered in the US.

by: MSN

Delhi Election 2025: BJP Leader Ramesh Pahelwan Set to Join AAP Today - Sources

BJP leader Ramesh Pahelwan is set to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today, marking a significant political shift. Known for his strong association with Surat, Pahelwan has been an active leader in the BJP for a long time,

by: MSN

Drones attack Chechen capital, likely targeting bases of riot police and special forces - video

Drones attacked the city of Grozny in Chechnya on the morning of 15 December, hitting a building. [The Chechen Republic, also known as Chechnya, is a federal subject of the Russian Federation; the Ukrainian parliament has recognised it as the temporarily Russian-occupied territory of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria - ed.

by: MSN

Starmer's government hails joining CPTPP - two years after he said impact would be 'very small'

Starmer's government hails joining CPTPP - two years after he said impact would be 'very small' - Sir Keir's business secretary said the agreement would 'boost trade and create opportunities for UK co

by: MSN

First border construction, now Trump. Uncertainty swirls around the future of Friendship Park.

At a section of border fence in San Diego on Saturday, where dozens of people had gathered to mark Mary and Joseph's search for shelter before Christ's birth, a reverend asked attendees to raise their pinkie fingers to share peace.

by: MSN

Anwar confirms discussions on Tengku Zafrul joining PKR

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that discussions are underway about the possibility of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz joining PKR. Read full story

by: MSN

Europe's Schengen Area sees more internal border controls

As the EU's Schengen Area is set to expand on January 1, more countries are bringing in internal border checks.

by: MSN

'If I dig up Parliament and find something, will that make it mine?': Asaduddin Owaisi

In a parliamentary address, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the misuse of religious history and criticized laws targeting minorities. He highlighted the erosion of constitutional rights, citing cow vigilantism,

by: MSN

One week into a new Syria, rebels aim for normalcy and Syrians vow not to be silent again

One week into a new Syria, rebels aim for normalcy and Syrians vow not to be silent again - A transformation has started to take place in the week since the unexpected overthrow of Syria's President B

by: MSN

Feds must turn local police loose to take down mystery drones over N.J., congressman says

A New Jersey congressman is calling on federal authorities to permit state and local police to take down unauthorized drones, as reports of mysterious flights continue to surge. U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer,

by: MSN

Trump attends Army-Navy game alongside key allies

President-elect Donald Trump was huddling with allies and a Republican cause célèbre at Saturday's Army-Navy football game, taking in one of the most storied rivalries in college sports while spotlighting his emerging national security team.

by: MSN

He's running nation on 3 hours of sleep: Saif Ali Khan's praise for PM Modi

Actor Saif Ali Khan described his "special" meeting with PM Modi, sharing details of their conversation and the warmth the PM showed despite his busy schedule, as the Kapoor family invited him to the Raj Kapoor Film Festival.

by: MSN

Illegal Channel crossings rise as Cooper refuses to set migration deadline

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

South Korea's acting president reaffirms alliance with US

US President Joe Biden and South Korea's interim President Han Duck- soo held a phone call after Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Biden called the alliance with Seoul the "linchpin for peace" in the region.

by: MSN

Korea exposed to Trump risk amid leadership crisis

Korea's ongoing leadership crisis, triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol's attempt to impose martial law, is feared to leave the country vulnerable to potential new tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration during upcoming trade and economic negotiations,

by: MSN

Russia retains naval base in Syria despite Assad's fall

Russia is pulling back from northern Syria's front lines but not moving its two main bases after Assad's fall, officials said. Footage from Tartous showed camouflaged equipment and ongoing troop activity at the naval base.

by: MSN

"Never does what he says...": Sanjay Raut on PM Modi's zero tolerance towards corruption

MP Sanjay Raut criticized PM Modi's speech on zero tolerance for corruption, questioning his sincerity given the alleged corruption of BJP leaders like Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde. Raut also highlighted PM Modi's relationship with Gautam Adani,

Five remaining Bali Nine members free men as they arrive back in Australia

Australians Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Si Yi Chen were accompanied back to Australia by government officials on a commercial flight on Sunday.
The article from The Sydney Morning Herald discusses the return of the five remaining members of the Bali Nine to Australia after serving their sentences in Indonesia. The Bali Nine, a group of Australians convicted for attempting to smuggle heroin out of Indonesia in 2005, saw its members either executed, die in prison, or serve long sentences. The last five members, having completed their terms, have now returned to Australia as free men. Their return marks the end of a long and internationally scrutinized legal saga that began nearly two decades ago. The article highlights the mixed reactions to their release, with some advocating for their rehabilitation and reintegration into society, while others remain critical of their past actions. The piece also touches on the broader implications of Australia's relationship with Indonesia concerning drug trafficking laws and the treatment of foreign nationals in legal disputes.

Read the Full Sydney Morning Herald Article at:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/five-remaining-bali-nine-members-free-men-as-they-arrive-back-in-australia-20241215-p5kyil.html

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