Dem moves to force vote over release of Gaetz ethics reportCaracas, December 12, 2024 ( ) — On December 15, the Venezuelan people will head to the polls for local elections to select 30,000 “communal peace judges” as part of the country’s efforts to establish a new grassroots democracy. Sunday’s vote will take place in over 4,000 communal circuits spanning the Venezuelan map, including 481 indigenous communities. Each circuit is centered around a —an assembly-driven organization comprising several communal councils and various social organizations. Voters will select 15,000 peace judges, two or three per circuit, and their substitutes, from a pool of 52,288 candidates. All citizens 15 and above are eligible to participate. Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) will install 4,817 polling centers that will be operated by electoral commissions consisting of community members. On Wednesday, in a televised gathering in El Panal Commune in Caracas’ working-class 23 de Enero neighborhood, President Nicolás Maduro urged people to participate in Sunday’s local election to advance popular power and “work on the new model of direct democracy.” “What we are undertaking is a significant step toward the future—a genuine democracy that goes beyond superficial representation. We are striving for a grassroots, direct democracy rooted in values and conscience,” he stated during a community assembly with peace judge candidates. During the meeting, Maduro was joined by several high-profile officials and activists, including Ángel Prado, the Minister of Communes; Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the National Assembly; Carmen Meléndez, the Mayor of Caracas; and , spokesperson for El Panal Commune. Longa, who is also the founder of the Alexis Vive Patriotic Force, the local election of peace judges as a significant step forward in moving away from “all the frameworks of bourgeois liberal democracy.” “We are in a process of radicalization of participatory and protagonist democracy,” Longa told Maduro. “This call that you are making to radicalize the [Bolivarian] revolution has a historical precedent: the Soviets [workers and peasants councils] that would pave the way for the Soviet Revolution, transforming people into social subjects of change.” The communal leader explained that the elected 30,000 peace judges will assume a “leading role” in their communities and will undertake preventive work to promote peaceful coexistence. “We are moving towards the construction of new social relations without the old laws.” Deputy and Organization Vice President of the ruling Socialist Party (PSUV), Pedro Infante, stated that the winning candidates will undergo six months of training organized by judicial authorities and the Ministry of Communes. The competencies of peace judges will be governed by the newly reformed which was by the legislature and enacted by Maduro in November. This bill broadens the scope of issues peace judges can address and designates them as responsible for resolving family and community conflicts, thereby offering resolution pathways without escalating to formal judicial proceedings. For instance, peace judges will mediate disputes between neighbors and have the authority to address matters such as tenancy issues, land and debt conflicts, interpretation of local ordinances, child support, children’s rights, and the coexistence of domestic animals. However, the elected mediators cannot handle property disputes if the assets are worth more than 1,000 euros. The new reforms of the law originally approved in 2010 also stipulate that peace judges will be elected through local popular vote every four years. While communities had a significant role in choosing peace judges through consensus or vote, there was limited formal oversight from national authorities, leading to discrepancies in how peace judges were selected and operated across different regions. From December 4 to 13, candidates engaged in active door-to-door campaigning and community assemblies, where they shared their proposals for conflict resolution and local governance. Each candidate underwent a screening process to ensure they met essential criteria, including being over 25 years old, residing in the communities they aimed to represent for a minimum of three years, positive reputation and understanding of local customs and laws. Peace judges are likewise barred from belonging to political organizations. This grassroots approach aims to ensure that the elected peace judges are well-acquainted with the specific needs and dynamics of their communities. The introduction of peace judges elected by popular vote follows two whereby communities picked local projects that received US $10,000 of state funding. A third consultation set for November was suspended, with Ministry of Communes sources telling Venezuelanalysis it will be re-scheduled for early 2025.
After their most productive day in a non-overtime game this season, the Denver Nuggets are out to earn consecutive victories for the first time in a month when they play host to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Following a run of seven losses in 11 games -- including one of their two setbacks against the Clippers this season -- the Nuggets turned their offense loose in a 141-111 road victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday as Nikola Jokic scored 48 points with 14 rebounds and eight assists. With three MVP awards in the past four seasons, Jokic is pointed toward another as he leads the NBA in rebounds at 13.6 per game and is second in points (32.3) and assists (10.2). He has 104 points over the past two games but his 56-point outing Saturday ended up in a defeat to the lowly Washington Wizards. Jokic's push for offense coincides with a hamstring injury to Jamal Murray, who missed the past two games and is expected to be listed as questionable for Friday's game. Dario Saric is expected back after he was inactive the past two games with an ankle injury. In his first season with the Nuggets, former Clippers guard Russell Westbrook has averaged 6.4 assists per game. With Murray down, he has averaged 11.5 assists the past two games. "When Russ is out there with Nikola, he's just always looking for him," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said. "He's always trying to find him. And that makes complete sense to me. You're playing with the best player in the world. You might want to give him the ball." The Clippers' Norman Powell has averaged 32.5 points in the two victories over the Nuggets and leads Los Angeles with 23.6 points per game this season. While Powell has returned from a recent hamstring injury, James Harden (groin) was absent from Sunday's 117-106 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks, as was Terance Mann (finger). Kawhi Leonard (knee) has not played this season but has finally returned to practice as he nears his season debut. The hope for Los Angeles head coach Tyronn Lue was to hold things together as best as possible until Leonard returned, and a 14-11 record through the first two months appears to have to accomplished that goal. Leonard won't travel with the team for Friday's game, but his return to practice has made an impact. "It raised our energy just for our guys to see him on the floor," Lue said. "It brought a juice to our team, so we needed that jolt, especially going through the schedule we've been through. It was really good to see him out there." Instead of playing it passive until Leonard returns, the Clippers have ramped up their defense, which has allowed 107.4 points per game. It is the fifth-best mark in the NBA. The 35-year-old Harden has raised his game for the Clippers by averaging 21.6 points, his most since the 2021-22 season. He has also averaged 8.5 assists with 6.8 rebounds while playing in 24 of 25 games. --Field Level MediaArkansas WR Andrew Armstrong declares for NFL draft, skipping bowl
Arkansas receiver Andrew Armstrong said Tuesday that he is entering the NFL Draft. Later in the day, a school spokesman told reporters that Armstrong will skip the Razorbacks' bowl game. The destination isn't yet known. Armstrong led the Southeastern Conference in both receptions (78) and receiving yards (1,140) but caught just one touchdown in 11 games this season. His catches and yardage were both second-most in Arkansas history behind Cobi Hamilton, who had 90 receptions for 1,335 yards in 2012. "It's been a journey for the books and I wouldn't trade it for anything because it has made me into the man I am today," Armstrong said of his Razorbacks tenure in a social media post. "... I will never forget all the moments that were shared here in Fayetteville." Armstrong played two seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce before transferring to Arkansas ahead of the 2023 season. In two seasons with the Razorbacks, he caught 134 passes for 1,904 yards and six scores. --Field Level Media
Article content CALGARY — Former NHL star Joe Thornton and Calgary Flames front office executive Brad Pascall are heading the management team for Canada’s Spengler Cup squad for a second straight year. Hockey Canada announced its 2024 Spengler Cup management group Tuesday, with Thornton and Pascall working as co-GMs and Hnat Domenichelli joining them as an assistant. Thornton made his international management debut at last year’s Spengler Cup, when Canada lost 4-3 to Czech squad HC Dynamo Pardubice in the semifinals. He ended his 25-year professional playing career after the 2021-22 NHL season and finished with 1,539 points in 1,714 games with Boston, San Jose, Toronto and Florida. His international career includes gold with Canada at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and a Spengler Cup title in 2004 while playing for the tournament host team, Switzerland’s HC Davos. Pascall is currently in his 11th season as assistant general manager of the Calgary Flames , and his second as vice-president of hockey operations. Domenichelli has served as general manager of HC Lugano in Switzerland since 2019. As a player, he had an 18-year professional career that included 922 games in the NHL, American Hockey League and Switzerland’s National League. The Spengler Cup runs Dec. 26-31 in Davos. The hosts are the defending champions. Canada and Davos are tied for the most Spengler Cup titles with 16, though Canada hasn’t won since 2019. The 2020 and 2021 tournaments were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) vetoed legislation that would have stripped several powers from incoming North Carolina elected Democratic officials, as the GOP is slated to lose its supermajority next year. The legislation included relief for parts of the Tar Heel State that are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, but it also included several provisions that would undermine Gov.-elect Josh Stein and incoming Democratic state Attorney General Jeff Jackson, among other Democratic officials. Cooper, whose term ends in January, vetoed the bill on Tuesday, calling it a "sham" and claiming that it does not send money to those affected by the storm. “This legislation is a sham. It does not send money to Western North Carolina but merely shuffles money from one fund to another in Raleigh. This legislation was titled Disaster Relief but instead violates the constitution by taking appointments away from the next governor for the Board of Elections, Utilities Commission, and Commander of the NC Highway Patrol, letting political parties choose appellate judges and interfering with the Attorney General’s ability to advocate for lower electric bills for consumers," Cooper said in a statement. Republicans will lose their supermajority in the state House next year after failing to maintain the necessary seats in this month's election. The GOP is expected to hold a supermajority in the state Senate, but without control of both chambers, Stein will hold an effective veto against Republicans. The legislation attempted to change how the state elections board is appointed, changing appointment power from the governor to the state auditor — who will be a Republican. The move would have paved the way for the state elections board to have a GOP majority, rather than the current Democratic majority, in line with the governor's party. It also aimed to block the state attorney general from taking the side against the state legislature’s position regarding legislation being challenged in court and would have prevented the state superintendent of public instruction from appealing decisions from a state review board for charter school applications. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The state legislature could still override the veto on the legislation next week in session, as the GOP still has their supermajority until the new state General Assembly is brought into office in January. Republicans would need all their state House and Senate members to be present and vote uniformly in favor of the legislation to override Cooper's veto. Three state House Republicans voted against the initial vote, citing concerns over the disaster relief portions of the legislation not doing enough.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The president of South Korea early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed on the country hours earlier, bending to political pressure after a tense night in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who appeared likely to be impeached over his actions, imposed martial law late Tuesday out of frustration with the opposition, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against opponents who control parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Police and military personnel were seen leaving the grounds of parliament following the bipartisan vote to overrule the president, and the declaration was formally lifted around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Parliament acted swiftly after martial law was imposed, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the law was “invalid” and that lawmakers would “protect democracy with the people.” In all, martial law was in effect for about six hours. The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party. Lee Jae-myung , leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party’s lawmakers would remain in the Assembly’s main hall until Yoon formally lifted his order. Woo applauded how troops quickly left the Assembly after the vote. “Even with our unfortunate memories of military coups, our citizens have surely observed the events of today and saw the maturity of our military,” Woo said. While announcing his plan to lift martial law, Yoon continued to criticize parliament’s attempts to impeach key government officials and senior prosecutors. He said lawmakers had engaged in “unscrupulous acts of legislative and budgetary manipulation that are paralyzing the functions of the state.” Jo Seung-lae, a Democratic lawmaker, claimed that security camera footage following Yoon’s declaration showed that troops moved in a way that suggested they were trying to arrest Lee, Woo and even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party. Officials from Yoon’s office and the Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday. Seemingly hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment. Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the lawmakers’ vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the Assembly building. One woman tried unsuccessfully to pull a rifle away from one of the soldiers, while shouting “Aren’t you embarrassed?” Under South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law during “wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states” that require the use of military force to maintain peace and order. It was questionable whether South Korea is currently in such a state. When martial law is declared, “special measures” can be employed to restrict freedom of press, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the power of courts. The constitution also states that the president must oblige when the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with a majority vote. Following Yoon’s announcement of martial law, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said. The military said anyone who violated the decree could be arrested without a warrant. In Washington, the White House said the U.S. was “seriously concerned” by the events in Seoul. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said President Joe Biden’s administration was not notified in advance of the martial law announcement and was in contact with the South Korean government. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no effect on the more than 27,000 U.S. service members based in South Korea. The South Korean military also said that the country’s striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools. Soon after martial law was declared, the parliament speaker called on his YouTube channel for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to “remain calm and hold their positions. All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported the lifting of martial law. At one point, television footage showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly and helmeted soldiers carrying rifles in front of the building. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three helicopters, likely from the military, that landed inside the Assembly grounds, while two or three helicopters circled above the site. The leader of Yoon’s conservative party called the decision to impose martial law “wrong.” Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, said Yoon’s announcement was “illegal and unconstitutional.” Yoon said during a televised speech that martial law would help “rebuild and protect” the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” He said he would “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.” “I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country,” he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences.” Yoon — whose approval rating dipped in recent months — has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. His party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also attempted to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the central Seoul prosecutors’ office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens.” He did not elaborate. Yoon has taken a hard line on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, departing from the policies of his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who pursued inter-Korean engagement. Yoon has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987. The country’s last previous martial law was in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee. Sydney Seiler, Korean chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argued that the move was symbolic for Yoon to express his frustration with the opposition-controlled parliament. “He has nothing to lose,” said Seiler, comparing Yoon’s move to the Hail Mary pass in American football, with a slim chance of success. Now Yoon faces likely impeachment, a scenario that was also possible before he made the bold move, Seiler said. Natalia Slavney, research analyst at the Stimson Center’s 38 North website that focuses on Korean affairs, said Yoon’s imposition of martial law was “a serious backslide of democracy" that followed a “worrying trend of abuse” since he took office in 2022. South Korea “has a robust history of political pluralism and is no stranger to mass protests and swift impeachments,” Slavney said, citing the example of former President Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female president, who was ousted from office and imprisoned for bribery and other crimes in 2017 . ___ Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Matt Lee, Didi Tang and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report. Kim Tong-hyung, The Associated PressCONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Jestin Porter scored 24 points, including four in overtime, and Middle Tennessee knocked off Ohio 83-81 on Thursday. Kamari Lands sank a 3-pointer with 4.2 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 75-all. Porter shot 9 for 18 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Blue Raiders (4-1). Essam Mostafa added 19 points while shooting 6 of 9 from the field and 7 for 10 from the line while he also had 13 rebounds. Lands had 10 points and went 4 of 12 from the field (2 for 6 from 3-point range). The Bobcats (1-4) were led in scoring by AJ Brown, who finished with 19 points. AJ Clayton added 18 points, 11 rebounds and two steals for Ohio. Jackson Paveletzke also had 15 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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Julián Álvarez picking up the scoring pace with Atletico MadridSurveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigrationArkansas WR Andrew Armstrong declares for NFL draft, skipping bowl
Key to Reviving Bahawalpur
How deepfake technology works
Arkansas WR Andrew Armstrong declares for NFL draft, skipping bowl
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to 'fight deportation' in battle with Donald TrumpMADRID (AP) — Getafe scored twice in three minutes midway through the second half to beat struggling Valladolid 2-0 and record only its second win in La Liga on Friday. The victory ended Getafe’s five-game winless run and lifted it into 15th place in the 20-team standings. Valladolid remained second to last. In the buildup to the match, Getafe sporting director Rubén Reyes described the game as a final but his team was lucky not to go behind as Valladolid created more of the early chances. However, the home side took control in the 69th minute when substitute Álvaro Rodríguez got the opener. Three minutes later, man of the match Allan Nyom made it 2-0. “There’s been a lot of games where we’ve run and fought but lost or drawn,” Nyom, the veteran Cameroon full back, said. “A game that reflects the effort we’ve put in in training is very welcome.” Adding to Valladolid’s woes, coach Paulo Pezzolano was sent off before halftime. The Uruguayan has the league’s worst disciplinary record, with seven yellow cards before Friday’s red. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Australia's House of Representatives passes bill banning children younger than age 16 from social mediaGlobal stock markets mostly retreated Tuesday as traders eyed looming US inflation data and a key European interest rate call amid global political upheaval. After winning numerous records in the weeks since the November 5 US presidential election, US stocks fell for the second straight day as analysts pointed to profit-taking. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Experts predict mass deportation would damage US economySurveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigrationPRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — When the referee whistled for the free kick just outside the area, Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez quickly picked up the ball and moved in position to take the shot. “When I saw the free kick, I told Rodri (Rodrigo De Paul) that I felt confident with the shot,” Álvarez said. “And it was a great goal.” Álvarez, Atletico's main signing in the offseason , has not been lacking confidence lately. The Argentina forward curled in the free kick shot in the 15th minute for the first of his two goals in the team’s 6-0 rout of Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday — the team’s biggest ever away win in European competitions. “We'll keep rotating who takes the free kicks,” said Álvarez, who also found the net in the 59th. It was Álvarez’s seventh goal in the last 10 matches, and third in his last three games across all competitions. The 24-year-old had a slow start to his first season with Atletico, scoring twice in 10 matches. “It was a matter of time before we started connecting well with each other,” said Álvarez, who joined Atletico after two seasons at Manchester City. “We have to stay on this path to keep improving.” Ángel Correa also scored two goals for Atletico, with Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann adding one each. “We know that in this format of the competition we need to keep adding the three points and scoring goals," Álvarez said. "It's important to get the points and the goals.” Atletico was sitting in 13th place in the 36-team league standings. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Arkansas receiver Andrew Armstrong said Tuesday that he is entering the NFL Draft. Later in the day, a school spokesman told reporters that Armstrong will skip the Razorbacks' bowl game. The destination isn't yet known. Armstrong led the Southeastern Conference in both receptions (78) and receiving yards (1,140) but caught just one touchdown in 11 games this season. His catches and yardage were both second-most in Arkansas history behind Cobi Hamilton, who had 90 receptions for 1,335 yards in 2012. "It's been a journey for the books and I wouldn't trade it for anything because it has made me into the man I am today," Armstrong said of his Razorbacks tenure in a social media post. "... I will never forget all the moments that were shared here in Fayetteville." Armstrong played two seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce before transferring to Arkansas ahead of the 2023 season. In two seasons with the Razorbacks, he caught 134 passes for 1,904 yards and six scores. --Field Level Media