Home Blog Page 585

Special Counsel Jack Smith to Resign Before Trump Takes Office

By
admin
-
0

Special counsel Jack Smith and his team plan to resign before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, a source familiar with the matter said.

Smith’s office has been evaluating the best path for winding down its work on the two outstanding federal criminal cases against Trump, as the Justice Department’s longstanding position is that it cannot charge a sitting president with a crime.

The New York Times first reported that Smith will step down.

The looming question in the weeks ahead is whether Smith’s final report, detailing his charging decisions, will be made public before Inauguration Day. The special counsel’s office is required under Justice Department regulations to provide a confidential report to Attorney General Merrick Garland, who can choose to make it public.

Smith’s federal criminal cases against Trump were upended by the election, as the Justice Department’s longstanding policy is that sitting presidents can’t be charged with crimes.

In late October, Trump said in a radio interview that he would immediately fire Smith as special counsel if re-elected. “It’s so easy — I would fire him within two seconds,” Trump said, adding that he got “immunity at the Supreme Court.” The next attorney general could decide not to release Smith’s final report as well.

Before Trump’s re-election last week, Smith and his team had continued moving forward in their election interference case against Trump. After Trump’s victory, however, a federal judge overseeing the case agreed to give the special counsel’s office until Dec. 2 to decide how to proceed.

The Justice Department had also charged Trump in Florida with allegedly hoarding classified documents after he left office and then refusing to give them back. But a federal judge dismissed the case in July, saying Smith’s appointment was illegal. That case remains on appeal.

When the former president was first indicted, Smith said he would move quickly to trial, but Trump’s legal team successfully sought to delay in both cases while then-candidate Trump routinely lambasted Smith at his rallies and online.

The election-interference case in Washington was narrowly focused on Trump, but an open question remains as to whether any unnamed co-conspirators referenced in the indictments face future legal jeopardy.

There’s no Justice Department norm for alleged criminal conspirators to avoid being prosecuted because they are connected to an incoming president, or because that future president is likely to pardon them.

nbcnews.com

Senate Republicans Set to Choose McConnell’s Successor in Three-Way Race

By
admin
-
0

Senate Republicans will gather behind closed doors Wednesday to elect their new majority leader, as a heated contest pits MAGA-aligned Rick Scott against establishment veterans John Thune and John Cornyn to replace the retiring Mitch McConnell.

The secret ballot election caps a leadership battle that has exposed divisions between the party’s Trump-aligned and institutional wings. All three candidates pledge allegiance to President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, though their approaches differ significantly.

Thune of South Dakota, the current Republican whip, and Cornyn of Texas, a former whip, represent the institutional wing, each having served as second-in-command during their Bush-era Senate careers. Scott of Florida, elected in 2018, has positioned himself as the MAGA candidate, securing endorsements from right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson, billionaire Elon Musk, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

“I think I’m uniquely positioned to really help get the Trump agenda done,” Scott told NBC News Tuesday. Despite Scott’s MAGA alignment, Trump himself has notably remained silent on the race, his influence limited by the secret ballot format.

The candidates presented their visions at a Tuesday evening forum, with both Thune and Cornyn emphasizing their fundraising prowess and ability to advance Trump’s priorities. “As Congress returns to Washington, we must prepare the Senate to advance [Trump’s] agenda legislatively,” Thune wrote in a FoxNews.com op-ed.

Cornyn promised to “Make the Senate Work Again” in a letter to colleagues, pledging to decentralize power and reinvigorate committee processes. The winner will lead Senate Republicans for the next two years after the party gained control in recent elections.

“I think at the end of the day, Thune still wins,” predicted Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., a Trump ally. If no candidate secures a majority in the first round, the lowest vote-getter will be eliminated for a final runoff.

The leadership reshuffling includes unopposed John Barrasso of Wyoming for majority whip, while Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Joni Ernst of Iowa compete for the third-ranking position.

McConnell steps down after an 18-year tenure that made him the longest-serving Senate leader in history.

Airlines Cancel Bali Flights as Volcanic Ash Clouds Skies

By
admin
-
0

Major airlines suspended flights to and from Bali Wednesday as ash clouds from Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano created dangerous flying conditions around the popular tourist destination, one week after an eruption killed 10 people.

The volcano’s weekend eruption sent ash columns 9 kilometers (6.2 miles) into the sky, prompting Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology to warn that volcanic ash might drift toward the country’s northern regions.

“Safety is always our highest priority, and our meteorology team is closely monitoring the situation,” Virgin Australia said in a statement announcing Wednesday’s flight cancellations. Jetstar extended its cancellations through noon Thursday Australian Eastern Daylight Time, while Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific, India’s IndiGo, and Malaysia’s AirAsia also suspended services.

Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, general manager of Bali’s international airport, told Reuters that 22 international and 12 domestic flights were affected Tuesday. Singapore Airlines and its budget carrier Scoot cancelled some services, though other flights continued operating through Singapore’s airport.

The volcanic activity has also disrupted regional events, with organizers postponing a jazz festival in Labuan Bajo town, located 600 kilometers from the volcano, until next year due to safety concerns.

Indonesia, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” with approximately 130 active volcanoes, has a history of aviation disruptions from volcanic activity. In 2020, ash clouds from Mount Merapi forced the closure of an airport in Solo city.

French Headteacher Details Fatal Spiral Leading to Teacher’s Beheading

By
admin
-
0

The former headteacher of a French school testified Tuesday about her failed attempts to protect Samuel Paty before the history teacher’s beheading by a Chechen refugee in 2020, revealing how a student’s lie sparked a chain of events ending in terrorism.

“I didn’t manage to protect him,” said Audrey F, who has since left France to teach in China. “It’s such an enormous waste.” She detailed to the Paris court how a 13-year-old student’s false claims about a freedom of expression lesson escalated into fatal violence.

The incident began when the student, identified as Z, had been suspended for absence and rudeness. She retaliated by falsely telling her parents that Paty had ordered Muslim students to leave while he showed “naked” images of the Prophet Muhammad. In reality, Paty had discussed three cartoons from a French satirical magazine, offering students the choice to look away if they might be offended.

The situation intensified when the girl’s father, Brahim Chnina, arrived at school with Islamist activist Abdelhakim Sefrioui, who claimed to represent French imams. They denounced Paty as a “thug” and demanded his removal. Both men now face charges of involvement in a “criminal terrorist” group and complicity in “terrorist murder,” among eight defendants on trial.

“By now I was very worried, not specifically for Mr Paty but for the school,” Audrey F testified, describing how the pair posted inflammatory videos online naming Paty and the school. Despite police protection and advice to stay home, Paty continued teaching until October 16, 2020, when 18-year-old Abdoullakh Anzorov killed him outside the school. Police shot Anzorov dead at the scene.

FILE – French President Emmanuel Macron leaves after paying his respects by the coffin of slain teacher Samuel Paty in the courtyard of the Sorbonne university during a national memorial event, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020 in Paris. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, Pool, File)

The murder, occurring five years after the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack, shocked France. The student who initiated the false claims has been convicted of making slanderous accusations, while five other teenagers were found guilty of preparing aggravated violence.

“I tell myself that if there is justice, perhaps I’ll manage to move on,” said the former headteacher, adding that nothing would have happened without the online videos posted by Chnina and Sefrioui. The defendants deny the charges while acknowledging their involvement in events leading to Paty’s death.

India’s Supreme Court Outlaws Punitive Property Demolitions “Bulldozer Justice”, Sets New Guidelines

By
admin
-
0

India’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that authorities cannot demolish homes simply because residents are accused of crimes, establishing strict guidelines to end what critics call “bulldozer justice” that has disproportionately affected minority communities.

“The executive cannot become a judge and demolish properties. The chilling sight of a bulldozer demolishing a building reminds one of lawlessness where might was right,” the court declared, mandating a 15-day notice period before any demolition can proceed.

The landmark ruling responds to numerous petitions challenging authorities’ use of demolitions as punishment, particularly in states governed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While officials cite illegal construction as justification, opposition leaders and activists say the practice primarily targets Muslims, especially following religious violence or protests.

The new guidelines require authorities to provide detailed written notice explaining demolition reasons and allow sufficient time for occupants to respond or vacate. Officials must video record any demolition proceedings or face contempt charges for violations.

“Such highhanded and arbitrary actions have no place in a constitutional democracy,” the court stated, warning that officials “who took the law in their hands” would be held accountable.

Amnesty International welcomed the ruling as “a big win in ending the deeply unjust, widespread, unlawful and punitive demolitions, mostly targeting the minority Muslim community.” The organization noted that ruling party leaders and media had often celebrated the practice as “bulldozer justice.”

The BJP denies targeting Muslims, with state chief ministers defending demolitions as part of their tough stance on crime. However, the court emphasized that “citizens’ voices could not be silenced by the threat of demolition” and called such actions “simply unacceptable under rule of law.”

Legal observers say the ruling’s effectiveness will depend on implementation, though it marks a significant step toward preventing extrajudicial punishment through property destruction. The court has consistently criticized the practice throughout hearings, emphasizing constitutional protections for all citizens regardless of accused crimes.

2 Dead in Louisville Factory Explosion, Neighborhood Damaged

By
admin
-
0

An explosion at a food coloring factory killed two employees Tuesday and damaged homes across surrounding neighborhoods, marking the second fatal blast at the Louisville facility in two decades, company officials confirmed Wednesday.

The incident at Givaudan Sense Colour occurred during what workers described as “normal activity,” according to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. At least 11 employees were hospitalized, some with life-threatening injuries, though officials have now accounted for all workers present during the explosion.

“We are grieving with the families, friends, and loved ones of those that were lost and injured during this very difficult time,” Givaudan said in a statement, adding that the company is cooperating with investigators while probing the cause.

The blast’s impact extended well beyond the factory grounds. Patrick Livers, whose home sits across railroad tracks from the plant, returned from work to find extensive damage after his mother called about the explosion. “The house is still standing. It’s just structural damage. If it was on a wall, it’s on the floor,” he said, describing damage throughout his street. “All the neighbors’ windows busted out, doors blown in. It looked like a small tornado went off inside the house.”

Steve Parobek, living a block from the plant, improvised repairs with pizza boxes and duct tape after the explosion shattered his kitchen window. The Louisville Fire Department leads the investigation with state and federal partners, including a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reconstruction team.

The facility has a troubled history. In April 2003, when owned by D.D. Williamson & Co., an explosion killed one worker. Federal investigators determined that incident resulted from a missing pressure relief valve removed during the tank’s 1989 relocation. Givaudan acquired the plant in 2021.

French Farmers Launch Protests Against South American Trade Deal

By
admin
-
0

French farmers initiated protests Tuesday against a proposed European Union-Mercosur trade agreement that would increase South American agricultural imports, sparking what organizers say will become widespread demonstrations across Europe’s farming community.

The protests in Aurillac, southern France, come amid concerns the deal could be finalized at the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil, despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard calling such an outcome “highly unlikely.” More than 600 French lawmakers reinforced opposition through an open letter in Le Monde, urging European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reject the agreement.

“The anger hasn’t gone away. It’s still there, and, in fact, our worries have grown,” said Véronique Le Floc’h, president of Coordination Rurale, France’s second-largest farmers’ union. “If the Mercosur agreement is signed, it will spell the end of our agriculture.”

France’s three major farming unions have announced coordinated actions. The FNSEA, the country’s largest agricultural union, plans nationwide protests after mid-November’s winter sowing season. Coordination Rurale promises “an agricultural revolt” starting November 19 in southwestern France, while the anti-globalization Confédération Paysanne prepares its own demonstrations.

European farmers argue they face stringent EU environmental regulations while competing against South American imports produced under lower environmental and labor standards. Belgian farmers have scheduled protests near EU headquarters in Brussels Wednesday, expanding the movement internationally.

“We don’t want this agreement because it’s harmful. It will bring in products, including substances banned in Europe, at the cost of deforestation. It will unfairly compete with our domestic production,” Genevard told TF1.

The EU and Mercosur bloc — comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia — reached an initial agreement in 2019, but implementation stalled amid opposition from farmers and some European governments. French President Emmanuel Macron has called the deal “terrible” and “outdated,” opposing any agreement until South American producers meet European environmental and health standards.

apnews.com

South Korean Actor Song Jae-lim Dies at 39

By
admin
-
0

Song Jae-lim, a South Korean actor who gained prominence through his role in the hit fantasy drama “Moon Embracing the Sun,” was found dead Tuesday at his home in Seoul’s Seongdong district. He was 39.

Police discovered a note at Song’s residence after a friend, who had arrived for a scheduled lunch, found the actor unresponsive, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, citing anonymous police sources. Officials reported no signs of foul play, though Seongdong district police declined immediate comment on the cause of death.

Song launched his acting career with the 2009 film “Actresses” before achieving widespread recognition for his portrayal of a royal guard in the 2012 television series “Moon Embracing the Sun,” a fantasy drama chronicling the romance between a medieval Korean king and a female shaman.

His career encompassed both scripted and reality programming, including an appearance on the popular show “We Got Married” in 2014. Most recently, Song had taken a supporting role in this year’s streaming series “Queen Woo,” another period fantasy drama focusing on royal power struggles.

Indian Parties Court Women Voters with Cash Programs Despite Fiscal Strain

By
admin
-
0

Indian political parties are increasingly targeting women voters with direct cash payments ahead of elections, straining state budgets as they compete for a crucial voting bloc amid high inflation and unemployment.

These handout programs, implemented by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP and opposition parties, now reach about 134 million women and cost approximately 2 trillion rupees ($23.70 billion) annually, or 0.6% of GDP, according to Axis Bank’s economic research division.

“This is a substantial burden on the exchequer,” said Neelkanth Mishra, chief economist at Axis Bank. “Where is the funding coming from? Some from higher deficits.” States offering these programs show higher budget deficits than five years ago, often reducing capital expenditure to fund populist measures.

The eastern state of Jharkhand, currently holding elections, exemplifies this trend. The opposition-ruled state recently doubled its monthly payment to 2,500 rupees ($30) for five million women, responding to BJP promises of 2,100 rupees. In Maharashtra, India’s wealthiest state, the BJP alliance offers 1,500 rupees to low-income women, while opposition parties pledge to double that amount before next week’s local elections.

“Women or people coming from economically backward sections are seen as a soft target by political parties,” said Congress party spokesperson Udit Raj. BJP spokesperson Shazia Ilmi countered that Modi’s government prioritized women’s welfare through programs like subsidized cooking gas and toilet construction.

The focus on women voters reflects their growing electoral importance, as female turnout has surpassed male participation in the past decade. However, these programs emerge as India faces a 14-month inflation peak and 8.9% unemployment.

While Elara Securities warns of potential national budget implications from state fiscal slippage, economists note positive effects of increasing women’s financial autonomy. “The categories seeing stronger incremental demand may be food, conveyance, durable goods and health,” Mishra said. “For the targeted population, these schemes boost incomes by 5% to 40%.”

The effectiveness of such programs faces a test in upcoming state elections, with results expected November 23. Modi’s BJP has relied on smaller allies to maintain power after losing its parliamentary majority in recent general elections.

Russia Launches First Missile Strike on Kyiv in Months, Testing Defenses

By
admin
-
0
Firefighters work at the site where an industrial area was hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv region, Ukraine November 13, 2024. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv region/Handout via REUTERS

Russia launched its first missile attack on Kyiv since August Wednesday morning, sending residents scrambling for shelter as Ukrainian air defenses intercepted two cruise missiles, two ballistic missiles, and 37 drones across the country.

“Putin is launching a missile attack on Kyiv right now,” Andriy Yermak, head of the president’s office, wrote on Telegram as explosions echoed across the capital. Though no major damage or casualties were reported in Kyiv, falling debris injured a 48-year-old man and ignited a warehouse fire in the surrounding region.

The assault marks an escalation from the near-nightly drone attacks that have disrupted life in the capital for weeks. About 100 residents, including sleeping children on yoga mats and elderly women in fold-out chairs, took shelter in the central Universitet metro station.

“The mornings are totally ruined. I started college in September and every morning has been ruined by the bloody Russians. I cannot sleep, cannot think and I drink energy drinks all the time,” said Mykyta, a teenager huddled with his dog in the metro station.

Ukrainian officials warn the attack could herald renewed strikes on the power grid as winter approaches. Andrii Kovalenko, a senior National Security and Defence Council official, said Russia has accumulated cruise missiles for another “massive” assault, similar to the August 26 attack that killed seven people and deployed over 200 drones and missiles.

Power grid operator Ukrenergo announced restrictions on electricity supply for businesses due to “significantly” lower power imports and generation, though it was unclear if the limitations were directly related to Wednesday’s attack. The restrictions will affect Kyiv, its surrounding region, and the regions of Odesa, Dnipro, and Donetsk, according to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private power generator.

City mayor Vitali Klitschko reported a drone still flying over central Kyiv Wednesday morning as air raid alerts continued to sound across the city and buzz on residents’ phones.

REUTERS

1...584585586...997Page 585 of 997