• Wed, January 8, 2025

by: Sky

MPs vote against new national inquiry into grooming gangs

The vote was largely symbolic - aimed at putting pressure on Labour after comments by Elon Musk brought grooming gangs back into the spotlight.

by: Richmond

Water-less, but not grumbling, Virginia legislators meet briefly

Some joked about not showering as others shrugged and just said stuff happens. Virginia legislators pledged to finish their work on time despite a delay caused by Richmond's water crisis.

by: BBC

Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch clash over a national inquiry into grooming gangs

Talking about why she thinks a new national inquiry is needed into grooming gangs, Kemi Badenoch said the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA), which concluded in October 2022, "wasn't about the rape gang scandal". She said: "in its 468 pages it mentioned Rotherham just once".

by: ABC

Trump and Senate Republicans still divided on how to implement his agenda

President-elect Donald Trump is meeting with Senate Republicans to try to get lawmakers "on the same page" on how to advance some of his major policy initiatives.

by: MSN

Biden's Infrastructure Bills Leave a Legacy of Big Spending and Little Payoff

When President Joe Biden vacates the White House later this month, talk will turn to his legacy: What did he accomplish in office? Which among his achievements will outlast him? Even though Biden came into office with ambitious promises,

by: MSN

UK to introduce 'world first' sanctions regime to target people smugglers

A "world first" sanctions regime which specifically targets people smugglers will be introduced by the government this year, David Lammy will announce.

by: MSN

How will Trump's border and deportation policies impact Utah?

With President-elect Trump returning to the White House in less than two weeks, promising to launch the largest deportation of illegal immigrants in our country's history, Utah leaders are responding.

by: MSN

Mark Zuckerberg's shift to the right was months in the making: From the Politics Desk

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's political shift to the right ahead of the new Trump administration was months in the making.

by: MSN

"Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders," PM Egede says in message to Trump and Denmark

The Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday that Greenland is not for sale after President-elect Trump refused to commit to avoiding use of military force to take control of Greenland.

by: MSN

With Trump taking office, some Democrats and pro-immigration groups ponder new ideas on issue

There's momentum among pro-immigration groups and some Democrats for policies that would move the party to the right on immigration.

by: MSN

Trump blames Newsom for Southern California wildfires, governor's office pushes back on facts

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed the massive wildfires burning homes in Southern California on Gov. Gavin Newsom's water policies, claiming in a jab on his Truth Social media platform that Newsom put the needs of "essentially worthless fish" over "the people of California.

by: MSN

Donald Trump Blames California Governor Gavin Newsom for 'Virtually Apocalyptic' Los Angeles Wildfires: 'A True Disaster!'

by: MSN

Supreme Court Justice Alito spoke to Trump on Tuesday, ABC News reports

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito spoke to President-elect Donald Trump by phone on Tuesday to recommend a former law clerk for a job in the new administration, ABC News reported on Wednesday. "William Levi,

by: MSN

"A peek at the test": New book claims Trump was fed questions from Fox News town hall

A new inside look at the Trump campaign claims the president-elect was given advance notice of town hall questions

by: MSN

House passes Laken Riley Act, which heads to Senate with increasing Democratic support

The new Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed its first bill on Tuesday, the Laken Riley Act, named for the 22-year-old Georgia nursing school student killed by a Venezuelan immigrant living in the country without legal permission.

by: MSN

Ethical questions arise over Trump's business and presidency

In the two months since the election, President-elect Donald Trump has urged his nearly 8.5 million followers on Truth Social to buy limited edition guitars that bear his signature and Trump-themed fragrances that "represent winning.

by: MSN

It's the first major decision of Trump 2.0 and Republicans are split

That's the tricky question facing Republicans in Washington, who claim they've been given a mandate to enact sweeping permanent change after November's election, but have one of the smallest congressional majorities in history to work with.

by: MSN

Biden briefed on LA wildfires, vows federal gov't will 'do anything and everything' to help

President Joe Biden attended a wildfire briefing at a Santa Monica fire station Wednesday and pledged the federal government will "do anything and everything" to help contain the fires and assist the community with rebuilding.

by: MSN

Ex-Illinois Speaker Madigan testifies he 'would not be involved in a quid pro quo'

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan testified in his corruption trial Wednesday that he was taken aback when then-Ald. Daniel Solis told him over the phone that the developers of a West Loop condo tower understood "the quid pro quo" of hiring Madigan's law firm.

by: MSN

Trump Goes On Puzzling Truth Social Rant About California Wildfires

In what appears to be his first public statement addressing the multiple, devastating wildfires that have burned more than 1,000 structures in the Los Angeles area and killed at least two people, President-elect Donald Trump did nothing but blame California Gov.

by: MSN

White House withholds $3.6 million in promised funding to World Anti-Doping Agency

WADA and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. had declined to pay the $3.6 million it had pledged to WADA as part of its normal funding process fo

by: MSN

U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Mississippi resigns

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi announced his intention to resign his position. Todd Gee said he will resign his position as U.S. Attorney effective 11:59 p.m. on January 17,

by: MSN

Scoop: Schumer's plan to fire back at Trump's Senate nominees

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is privately pressing his senators to create fireworks when they question President-elect Trump's nominees in the coming weeks, Axios has learned. Why it matters: "Republicans spent four years attacking the Democratic brand and we need to use the hearings to begin returning the favor,

by: MSN

Jailed Belarus opposition figure seen for first time in months

Viktor Babaryko was arrested in 2020 after challenging authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko at the polls.

by: MSN

NATO membership only credible security guarantee for Ukraine, Finnish foreign minister says

Membership in NATO is the only credible long-term security guarantee Ukraine can receive against future Russian aggression, Finland's top diplomat said on Wednesday. Donald Trump's return to the White House on Jan.

by: MSN

GOP introduces bill to let people sue trans folks for using the bathroom

The bill — which is co-sponsored by 35 of the state House's 58 Republican members and was introduced by a legislator who said she'd rather have a dead child than a trans one

by: MSN

Political chess or true beliefs? Zuckerberg's surprise Trump pivot

The clean cut hair has grown, his college kid's hoodie is now a gold chain, and his politics have swerved hard right. And it also might reflect a position that is closer to his political instincts.

by: MSN

The House GOP's first bill of 2025 could enable a Ken Paxton power grab

The Laken Riley Act would hand state attorneys general, like Ken Paxton in Texas, veto power over large swaths of federal immigration policy.

by: MSN

Drain the swamp? Yes, 61% of voters say

by: MSN

Lawmakers call for reforms as California electricity costs climb

The report points to wildfire-related costs and the state's policies and programs to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

by: MSN

Trump says he wants to get rid of 'artificially drawn line' between U.S. and Canada

From goofy AI-generated social media posts to threats of 'economic force,' Donald Trump has been taking jabs at Canada's sovereignty for weeks. CBC's Ellen Mauro breaks down the president-elect's escalating rhetoric against Canada.

by: MSN

Cabinet ministers say take Trump threats seriously, but don't overreact

Several federal cabinet ministers say Canada should not overreact to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's comments about annexing Canada — but should still take them seriously.

by: MSN

Lithuania to strengthen infrastructure security before disconnecting from Russian energy system

Lithuania will strengthen the protection of power lines with Poland. This will happen on the eve of the planned disconnection from the power grid shared with Russia and Belarus, according to LRT. Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas said that the government supported the decision to provide additional physical protection for certain

by: MSN

Austria in 'new situation' after far-right leader Kickl asked to form government, analyst says

Austria in 'new situation' after far-right leader Kickl asked to form government, analyst says The family of a young Quebec boy who nearly drowned claim doctors in Montreal gave up on their son - but say they've found new hope south of the border. Dan Spector reports.

by: MSN

Colorado governor walks a tightrope in approaching Trump. Deportations likely to be the first test

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis donned safety glasses and seized the handle of the electric saw, guiding the buzzing blade down through a stack of printed-out executive orders dating back decades. Polis' pre-Christmas news conference was designed to highlight how he was repealing unnecessary regulations,

by: MSN

Obamacare enrollment doubled under Biden as battle over subsidies begins

by: MSN

No, Parents Didn't Spend Child Tax Credit Money On Drugs, Study Finds

The child payments were discontinued amid concerns from some lawmakers, especially then-Sen. Joe Manchin, that parents spent the money on drugs.

by: MSN

Scholz Rejects Expansionist Agenda Laid Out in Trump Remarks

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pushed back on comments made by US President-elect Donald Trump, including a threat to use economic force to annex Canada and seize Greenland.

by: MSN

Industry groups sue over Biden ban on medical debt from credit reports

Two groups representing the credit reporting and credit union industries have filed a lawsuit challenging a new rule adopted by U.S. President Joe Biden's outgoing administration banning the inclusion of medical debt in American consumers' credit reports.

by: MSN

Biden will defer to Trump on terror label for Syria's Islamist leaders

The U.S. will keep HTS on the list of terrorist organizations for the remainder of President Biden's tenure, leaving the decision to Donald Trump, officials say.

by: MSN

Madigan testifies Ald. Solis comment about 'quid pro quo' gave him 'surprise and concern'

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan testified in his corruption trial Wednesday that he was taken aback when then-Ald. Daniel Solis told him over the phone that the developers of a West Loop condo tower understood "the quid pro quo" of hiring Madigan's law firm.

by: MSN

I'm a Canadian listening to Trump. Let's talk about 'the 51st state'

Both the American Revolutionary War and War of 1812 featured U.S. ambitions for Canadian annexation. Such talk rose again following the Civil War five decades later—a threat so grave that it motivated Canada's political leadership to incorporate as a new country,

by: MSN

Blinken on US taking over Greenland: 'Not going to happen'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken dismissed President-elect Trump's idea of the U.S. owning Greenland, saying it's "obviously" not going to happen. "The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one,

by: MSN

Historian reveals how Hitler 'dismantled' democracy in less than two months

After Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933, he promptly packed the government full of loyalists and used Weimar Germany's constitution to turn himself into an absolute dictator.

by: MSN

Maduro Cranks Up Venezuela Repression, Drawing Neighbor's Rebuke

Venezuela's government has unleashed a fresh wave of repression as the opposition plans nationwide protests to denounce Nicolás Maduro's inauguration as president this week.

by: MSN

Trump says he wants to rename Gulf of Mexico and retake Panama Canal during press conference: Live

Trump says he wants to rename Gulf of Mexico and retake Panama Canal during press conference: Live - President-elect held baffling — at times alarming — press event at Mar-a-Lago, wandering from topic

by: MSN

Trump delivers first remarks as certified election winner

President-elect Donald Trump gave remarks on Tuesday morning focused on his economic agenda from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida

by: MSN

FACT CHECK: Did the U.S. Ever 'Own' The Panama Canal?

A post on X claims that the U.S. never "owned" the Panama Canal. Verdict: Misleading The U.S. signed a treaty in 1903 that allowed it to build and operate the Canal. President Jimmy Carter gave control back to Panama in 1978 under a new treaty.

FACT CHECK: Did the U.S. Ever 'Own' The Panama Canal?

A post on X claims that the U.S. never "owned" the Panama Canal. Verdict: Misleading The U.S. signed a treaty in 1903 that allowed it to build and operate the Canal. President Jimmy Carter gave control back to Panama in 1978 under a new treaty.
The article from MSN discusses the historical context of the Panama Canal, addressing the claim that the U.S. once owned it. It explains that while the U.S. did not technically "own" the Panama Canal, it had significant control over it. The U.S. facilitated Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903, and through the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, gained rights to construct, manage, and defend the canal. This control was exercised through the Panama Canal Zone, a 10-mile wide strip of land where the U.S. had sovereignty until the Torrijos-Carter Treaties of 1977, which set the stage for the canal's transfer back to Panama. The transfer was completed on December 31, 1999, when Panama assumed full control of the canal. The article clarifies that while the U.S. had de facto control, the canal was always legally Panamanian territory.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/fact-check-did-the-u-s-ever-own-the-panama-canal/ar-AA1xbI8x