​Vivek Ramaswamy was the first MAGA voice who said he read the 1,500-page bill and found out that there were many unnecessary provisions like increasing the salary of the senators in the bill. As a shutdown was averted at the last moment, Ramaswamy said, "The last 72 hours highlighted the positive impact that DOGE can have, but it also laid bare the massive lift ahead next year. We're ready for it."
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Jailed Hong Kong rights lawyer and prominent Tiananmen massacre vigil organizer, Chow Hang-tung, has sharply criticized the city's highest-ranking judges, accusing them of complicity in what she described as a "police state" under the current government, as reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Lebanon's parliament aims to elect a new president after over two years of vacancy. Army commander Joseph Aoun is the leading candidate, backed by major foreign powers. The election has been fraught with political deadlock, and Aoun’s candidacy faces constitutional hurdles. Success could pave the way for necessary governmental appointments and vital economic reforms.
​"I'm not rooting against him," Pennsylvania senator Dem John Fetterman said about his stand about Donald Trump. "If you're rooting against the president, you are rooting against the nation. And I'm not ever going to be where I want a president to fail. So, country first. I know that's become maybe like a cliche, but it happens to be true."
California implements the Healthy Homework Act (AB 2999) to reduce student stress and promote balanced learning by urging school districts to create thoughtful homework policies. The act addresses the quality and quantity of assignments while considering available resources, aiming to prevent overwhelming students and ensuring their well-being.
​Amid a lot of teas from who did what at Jimmy Carter's funeral service which saw a stellar gathering of five presidents -- Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Donald Trump, Kamala Harris cropped Donald Trump out of the photo that she posted on the Instagram account of the Vice President.
A US federal judge ordered the Trump administration to temporarily lift a funding freeze that halted USAID aid programs. The ruling responded to a lawsuit by health organizations affected by the freeze. The judge highlighted the lack of explanation for the blanket suspension, which disrupted aid networks and contracts. This decision temporarily allows funds to resume flowing to pre-existing contracts.
A 20-year-old motorbike thief, Ciaran Parker, experienced 'instant karma' when he crashed a stolen bike during a high-speed police chase in County Durham. Without wearing a helmet, Parker reached dangerous speeds and crashed, injuring himself. He later tested positive for drugs and was sentenced to 14 months in a Young Offender Institution.
Pakistan has agreed to a ten-year $20 billion loan plan with the World Bank to boost its economy. The plan aims to encourage private-sector investment and enhance climate resilience. Key focus areas include energy, water, agriculture, finance, manufacturing, and digital infrastructure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed optimism despite the ongoing political crisis.
Disturbing videos have surfaced, revealing potential war crimes in Ukraine. One video, captured by a Ukrainian drone, allegedly shows Russian soldiers executing surrendering Ukrainian troops. A second Russian drone video of the same event cuts off before the killings, potentially framing the incident differently.
Syria's new authorities announced on Tuesday that the military chief of the Islamist group that spearheaded the offensive that toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad had been appointed defence minister in the transitional government. As commander of the Islamist rebel forces, he played a key role in the offensive that ousted Assad on December 8 after a lightning advance from north Syria to the capital Damascus.