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Syrian government falls in stunning end to 50-year rule of Assad family
American foreign policy has been the laughing stock of the world since the early 20th century. However it is no different with Biden. -
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Syrian government falls in stunning end to 50-year rule of Assad family
I had different experiences with Syrians. I've met a couple randomly in Bangkok, who said Asaad was quite a decent leader, nothing major religious extreme in Damascus (where they were from), his daughters went to school etc , before the uprising years ago the economy of Syria was doing very well .. he's appalled they could have let the military in such a weak condition to let extremists enter. -
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Notre-Dame Cathedral Reopens Macron hosts World Leaders
On a historic Saturday in Paris, the resounding chimes of Notre-Dame Cathedral’s bells marked the reopening of the iconic 860-year-old landmark, symbolically ushered in by the Archbishop of Paris with three ceremonial knocks on the grand wooden doors. The event celebrated the meticulous restoration of the cathedral, which had suffered devastating damage in a 2019 fire, and brought together an illustrious gathering of world leaders, cultural figures, and artisans. Notre Dame Cathedral 'back in the light!' After 5 years of restoration following the devastating fire, the iconic cathedral welcomes the world again. Watch the historic moment with 1,500 attendees, including 40 heads of state. For Macron, the event also carried significant political weight. Securing the attendance of Donald Trump and hosting a meeting with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy at the Élysée Palace ahead of the ceremony underscored his diplomatic finesse, particularly as he navigates a challenging domestic political landscape following the ousting of his prime minister by parliament. The reopening of Notre-Dame serves as a symbol of renewal and unity, not only for France but for the world. As the lights illuminated the cathedral and the festivities concluded, the message was clear: the enduring spirit of Notre-Dame de Paris shines brightly once again. Based on a report by USA Today 2024-12-09 -
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UCLA Official ‘no hire list,’ for Jews
A UCLA student government official, Alicia Verdugo, has come under fire following allegations that she systematically excluded Jewish applicants from employment opportunities within her office. Verdugo, who serves as the Cultural Affairs Commissioner in the Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC), reportedly rejected all Jewish students who disclosed their faith in job applications and allegedly maintained a “no hire list” targeting individuals based on their beliefs, according to a recent complaint filed with UCLA’s judicial board. The complaint alleges that Verdugo explicitly instructed her colleagues to scrutinize applicants for any signs of Zionist affiliations. Text messages submitted as evidence claim Verdugo wrote, “PSA lots of zionists are applying — please do your research when you look at applicants and I will also share a doc of no hire list during retreat.” These directives reportedly led to the exclusion of Jewish candidates, regardless of their views on Israel or the ongoing conflict with Hamas. One applicant cited in the complaint was rejected after identifying as Jewish and emphasizing the importance of religious freedom in response to a question about significant social issues. Another was passed over after informing the office they could not attend a staff retreat due to observing the Jewish Sabbath. The complaint claims Verdugo’s hiring practices reflected systemic discrimination against individuals expressing any connection to Judaism. “Verdugo’s direct instruction to exclude Zionist applicants and the implied directive to be on the lookout for Jewish applicants resulted in systemic discrimination,” the complaint states. Student Bella Brannon, 21, who filed the complaint, accused Verdugo of fostering an environment of fear and hostility. “This actor makes us fear for our safety,” Brannon told *The Post*. “We’ve been sounding the alarm about Verdugo for years.” The Cultural Affairs Commission’s employment guidelines controversially include Zionism among fireable offenses, categorizing it alongside ideologies such as white supremacy and homophobia, yet conspicuously omit antisemitism. This omission has further fueled criticism of Verdugo’s actions and the broader culture within her office. Verdugo’s record of controversial behavior predates the hiring allegations. In October 2023, just two days after a Hamas attack, Verdugo posted on the official Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC) Instagram account, stating, “we honor the Palestinians on the frontlines.” The CAC has also amplified conspiracy theories, including claims that Israel harvests “Palestinian organs,” echoing historical antisemitic blood libel narratives. Jewish students at UCLA have previously reported feeling unsafe due to the commission’s activities. A report found that during anti-Israel encampments on campus, Jewish students faced harassment and were even blocked from accessing campus facilities. A California judge described the university’s failure to protect Jewish students during these events as “abhorrent.” With a mission statement that pledges to provide “quality programming… accessible to all students,” the Cultural Affairs Commission manages a budget exceeding $46,000, according to USAC’s website. The allegations against Verdugo, however, have cast a shadow over the commission’s inclusivity and commitment to equity. The ongoing complaint underscores persistent concerns about antisemitism on college campuses and raises critical questions about accountability within student leadership at one of the nation’s most prominent universities. Based on a report by NYP 2024-12-09 -
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Israeli Army Supports UN Peacekeepers Against Attack in Syria
The Israeli army announced on Saturday that its forces were assisting United Nations peacekeepers in repelling an attack in the Golan Heights. This incident occurred within the UN-patrolled buffer zone, a historically tense area between Israeli and Syrian-controlled territories. According to the Israeli military, the assault was carried out by "armed individuals" targeting a UN post near Hader, a Syrian town bordering the buffer zone. A spokesperson for the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) confirmed reports of unidentified armed individuals in the separation area. "Approximately 20 of these individuals entered one of our mission's positions in the northern part of the buffer zone," the UN Peacekeeping representative said. Stressing the importance of respecting international protocols, they added, "The inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times." The Israeli army affirmed its role in supporting UNDOF during the incident. "The [Israeli army] is currently assisting the UN forces in repelling the attack," the military stated. However, as of Saturday evening, the army refrained from commenting on whether the attack was ongoing. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also addressed the situation, emphasizing concerns over violations of the longstanding armistice agreement established in 1974. Speaking through a post on X, Saar noted that "armed forces entered the buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border with Israel. Among other things, attacks were carried out on the [peacekeepers] in the area." He reaffirmed Israel's stance of non-involvement in Syria's internal conflict but expressed unease over these developments. On the same day, reports emerged of Syrian rebels capturing the provincial capital of Quneitra, approximately 12 kilometers (eight miles) south of Hader. This advance marks a renewed escalation in Syria’s civil war, which had seen a surge in rebel activity in recent weeks, leading to the capture of multiple key cities across the country. The Israeli military remains focused on monitoring potential threats. During a visit to the Syrian border on Saturday, Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi emphasized that Israel's "primary focus is on observing Iran's movements and interests," with a "secondary focus" on Syrian factions, ensuring they do not inadvertently target Israeli territory. The Golan Heights, a region captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed, has been a focal point of international disputes. The annexation remains unrecognized by most of the international community. Since 1974, UNDOF has been tasked with maintaining a buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian-controlled areas, navigating the complex dynamics of this contested region. The recent attack recalls a similar incident in August 2014, when Islamist rebels assaulted UNDOF positions and took over 40 Fijian peacekeepers hostage. Those peacekeepers were held for nearly two weeks before being released. This history underscores the persistent volatility of the region and the challenges faced by peacekeeping forces tasked with maintaining stability amidst ongoing conflict. Based on a report by France 24 2024-12-09 -
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Sky TV Host Condemns Greta Thunberg "F*ck Germany and f*ck Israel,”
Sky News host Rowan Dean has sharply criticized climate activist Greta Thunberg for remarks made during a pro-Palestinian event in Mannheim, Germany. A video circulating online captured Thunberg laughing as she shouted, “F**k Germany and f**k Israel,” prompting backlash and condemnation. The incident has sparked broader debate about the role of public figures like Thunberg in addressing political matters. While she is celebrated for her environmental work, her foray into other contentious issues has raised questions about the boundaries of activism and the responsibility of high-profile figures to contribute constructively to public discourse. The video’s circulation and subsequent fallout highlight the delicate nature of public commentary in globalized, politically sensitive contexts. Whether intended as a serious statement or not, Thunberg’s words have ignited a firestorm, drawing both defenders and detractors into a heated discussion about the intersection of activism, politics, and accountability. Based on a report by Sky News 2024-12-09 -
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Tucker Carlson in Moscow Fueling Kremlin Propaganda & Interviewing Sergey Lavrov
Tucker Carlson, a figure celebrated by Russian state media, made headlines again with his return to Moscow, where he conducted an interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. While the public focus of his visit appeared to be promoting Kremlin narratives about Ukraine, speculation swirled that Carlson’s true agenda might be far more shadowy. Tucker: How many people have died in Ukraine? Lavrov: I don't know, but look what the Jews are doing in Palestine. Lavrov giving Tucker a lesson in good old Russian whataboutism. When Carlson sought deeper insights, his efforts yielded little substance. A question about Russian military casualties was dismissed by Lavrov, who stated, “It’s not for me to disclose this information.” Regarding the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny—poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent in an attack widely attributed to Russian security forces—Lavrov deflected blame onto Germany, where Navalny received medical treatment. When Carlson pressed, asking, “How do you think he died?” Lavrov offered an evasive response: “I am not a doctor, but for anybody to guess, even for the doctors to try to guess, they need to have information.” Once again, there was no follow-up from Carlson. Critics have suggested that Carlson’s performance during the interview may not have been mere negligence but deliberate acquiescence. His avoidance of critical questioning or fact-based rebuttals allowed Lavrov to disseminate unfounded claims without opposition. This, coupled with Carlson’s alignment with Kremlin rhetoric, raises concerns that his Moscow visit served purposes beyond journalism. As Russia’s state media continues to praise Carlson as a valuable ally in amplifying their agenda, his actions have left many questioning whether his role extends beyond public advocacy and into back-channel diplomacy on behalf of former President Donald Trump. Whether intentional or incidental, Carlson’s interactions with Russian officials have furthered a narrative that aligns with Putin’s goals, complicating the global conversation about the war in Ukraine and the broader risks it poses. Based on a report by Daily Beast 2024-12-09 -
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Donald Trump’s Surprising Role as an Environmental Advocate
Reevaluating environmental policies is a hallmark of changing administrations, especially when Republicans replace Democrats in the White House. Ronald Reagan rolled back Jimmy Carter’s air-pollution regulations, George W. Bush unraveled Bill Clinton’s water standards, and Donald Trump dismantled many of Barack Obama’s restrictions on coal. However, should Donald Trump return to the presidency, his approach to environmental matters may require an unexpected shift: mitigating the ecological harm caused by President Joe Biden’s climate-change agenda. The Biden administration’s environmental policies have marked a departure from the Democratic Party’s historical balancing act between conservation and industrial development. Fueled by a “climate first” strategy, the administration secured billions of dollars in subsidies for green energy through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Yet, the execution of these initiatives has raised concerns about their environmental impact. Critics argue that lax oversight has allowed projects to harm fragile ecosystems and endangered species, leaving taxpayers to foot a bill projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2032. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal actions significantly affecting the environment require thorough impact assessments. Despite this legal mandate, many renewable-energy projects funded by the Biden administration have bypassed meaningful environmental scrutiny. This oversight has led to significant ecological consequences. For example, ESI Energy, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, admitted that its wind turbines killed at least 136 bald and golden eagles in 2022 alone. Offshore wind projects have also raised alarms; last summer, a wind-turbine blade off Nantucket disintegrated, scattering fiberglass, styrofoam, and debris into the ocean, closing beaches and threatening marine life. Solar energy initiatives have not been free from controversy either. A 2,300-acre solar farm development in California involved the felling of protected Joshua trees, sparking outrage among local residents. The Los Angeles Times reported that these actions epitomized a growing backlash against producing “green energy at the cost of irreplaceable natural treasures.” Donald Trump has pledged to recover unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, a challenging task given bipartisan support for some of the subsidies. In August, 18 Congressional Republicans voiced their approval for many tax credits tied to renewable energy, while industry lobbyists worked fervently to shield their financial interests. If repealing the subsidies proves unattainable, a second Trump administration could focus on enforcing stricter environmental regulations for renewable energy projects. Requiring comprehensive impact studies for federally funded initiatives would level the playing field by holding green-energy companies to the same standards as their fossil-fuel counterparts. Trump could also rescind the Biden administration’s accelerated permit approvals for solar installations and halt blanket permits for wind projects until their ecological effects are better understood. The stakes are high, not only for fragile ecosystems but also for emblematic species like bald eagles. As critics of Biden’s climate agenda argue, achieving renewable energy goals should not come at the expense of irreplaceable natural resources and wildlife. For Trump, addressing these issues might mark a new chapter in his environmental legacy—one defined not by deregulation but by conservation. Based on a report by WSJ 2024-12-09
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