Tuesday, December 23

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Georgia appeals court disqualifies Fulton County DA Fani Willis from prosecuting Trump
World News

Georgia appeals court disqualifies Fulton County DA Fani Willis from prosecuting Trump

Katelyn Polantz and Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Photo: AFP / Alex Slitz A Georgia Court of Appeals has disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from prosecuting the case against President-elect Donald Trump and his accused co-conspirators over alleged 2020 election subversion. The long-awaited decision, in a state criminal case against Trump that was already on hold, raises questions about whether the case can move forward in court. The appeals court found that Willis' office cannot prosecute the case, so a new special prosecutor would need to be appointed for the case to continue. The appeals court found that a "significant appearance of impropriety" was enough to potentially taint the case in the public eye. The appellate cour...
After days of tumult, what’s next for Trudeau? His options, explained – National
Politics

After days of tumult, what’s next for Trudeau? His options, explained – National

The Liberal government was thrown into disarray this week when Chrystia Freeland stepped down from cabinet as finance minister, reviving calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down or call an election. Way down in the polls with 2025 set as an election year and no signs of a Liberal recovery on the horizon, Trudeau is facing a key moment where he must decide whether he should stay or go.Here’s a look at some of the scenarios and possibilities the Liberals now face:Carlene Variyan of Summa Strategies, a former senior Liberal staffer, said a lot is hinging on what the prime minister does “in the next 24 hours.” Story continues below advertisement She said if Trudeau wants to remain prime minister, he should move to solidify his cabinet as soon as possib...
How to meet the love of your life in real life – for women
Life Style

How to meet the love of your life in real life – for women

You’ve swiped, liked, matched—and then unmatched. If the dating apps have lost their charm and you’re starting to wonder if all the good options have vanished, this is the session for you. Imagine ditching the endless scrolling and meeting someone in the wild. In this fast-paced, eye-opening masterclass, Hayley Quinn—renowned dating coach, TEDx speaker, and author—will share the secrets to spotting potential partners in real life and making connections that last.Hayley’s groundbreaking dating bootcamps for women, as featured in Cosmopolitan, The Independent, and Grazia, have transformed love lives across the UK. Now, she’s bringing her insider tips and empowering advice to the Bigger Life Festival. In this masterclass, Hayley will share her toolkit for modern dating, equipping you with the...
Smith urges Ford to ‘walk back’ energy threat in possible U.S. tariff showdown
Politics

Smith urges Ford to ‘walk back’ energy threat in possible U.S. tariff showdown

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is being urged to “walk back” any discussion of cutting off energy exports to the United States in the event of a tariff war with incoming President Donald Trump, as other premiers express concerns about the impacts of escalation. The call comes from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith whose province has rejected the idea of using oil and gas exports as a bargaining chip in the ongoing Canadian effort to avoid tariffs by the incoming Trump administration.“I think it’s a non-starter,” Smith told Global News on Monday. “I think it’s too dangerous to even talk about cutting off energy. Wars have been started over that kind of conversation.”Ford sparked headlines across the United States when he threatened to cut off Ontario’s electricity exports to New York, Michigan and ...
Second NZ rescue plane arrives in Vanuatu as one breaks down
World News

Second NZ rescue plane arrives in Vanuatu as one breaks down

Local authorities have been working around the clock since Tuesday to try to locate and rescue people trapped in the rubble left by the magnitude 7.3 earthquake. December 2024 Photo: Vanuatu Police Force The search for people trapped in rubble and landslides is continuing today as the New Zealand Defence Force arrives in Port Vila. The Defence Force was delayed arriving into Vanuatu after a fault on one of the older Hercules plane. Labour said it was embarrassing, but a new Hercules plane has landed in Port Vila and a second is on the way to Noumea. More than 300 aftershocks have been felt since the big quake on Tuesday. And the official death toll was revised down to nine, though it was expected to rise. Two Chinese nationals were among the dead. Follow RNZ's liveblog for the latest u...
Mumbai: After 4 years of limping, Kenyan teen undergoes hip-replacement surgery
Health

Mumbai: After 4 years of limping, Kenyan teen undergoes hip-replacement surgery

Mariam Abdalla Mohamed Ali, a 17-year-old teenager from Kenya, has successfully regained her mobility and independence after undergoing a challenging hip replacement surgery at a Mumbai hospital. The procedure, performed by Dr. Safiuddin Nadwi, a renowned joint replacement surgeon, has given Mariam a new lease on life, enabling her to walk pain-free after four years of suffering due to a failed surgery in Kenya. Mariam’s troubles began after a road traffic accident four years ago, which led to bilateral femur screw fixation. Unfortunately, the surgery resulted in complications, including leg length discrepancy (LLD) and persistent limping. Her leg shortening caused uneven pressure on her hip joint, which worsened over time. Adding to her challenges, Mariam gained significant weight, putti...
Tributes flow for single mum killed in Vanuatu earthquake
World News

Tributes flow for single mum killed in Vanuatu earthquake

Valerie Kalkoa spent time working in Australia to help support her son, her colleague says. Photo: Facebook/ ABC Among those tragically taken by the earthquake disaster in Vanuatu was Valerie Kalkoa, a single mother who only returned home two days ago She had just finished a second season with a labour hire firm in north Queensland and was shopping in Port Vila when she died. Meanwhile, hundreds more Australians stranded in Vanuatu after its devastating earthquakes will be flown back home on RAAF flights on Thursday evening. Brisbane Airport's international terminal will welcome both arrivals. It follows other emergency rescue flights, which brought 148 Australians from the disaster zone overnight. Australian teams are on the ground working closely with Vanuatu authorities to undertake ...
All 51 defendants found guilty in Gisele Pelicot rape case that horrified the world
World News

All 51 defendants found guilty in Gisele Pelicot rape case that horrified the world

By Juliette Jabkhiro, Reuters Gisele Pelicot insisted on a public trial to expose her husband and the other men accused of raping her. Photo: CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP Content warning: This story discusses sexual violence. A list of helplines is available at the bottom of the page. Husband drugged wife, invited dozens of men to rape her Prosecutors sought maximum 20-year term for husband Trial has sparked debate on updating France's rape law Victim hopes case will help other sexual abuse survivors A French court found all 51 defendants guilty on Thursday in a drugging-and-rape case that horrified the world and transformed the victim, Gisele Pelicot, into a stirring symbol of courage and resilience. Pelicot's ex-husband of 50 years, Dominique Pelicot, had pleaded guilty to drugging h...
Government’s first Paris Agreement report fails to address how it plans to hit targets
World News

Government’s first Paris Agreement report fails to address how it plans to hit targets

All countries signed up to the Paris Agreement have until the end of December to file Biennial Transparency Reports, sharing their progress with the international community. Photo: 123RF The government's first report under the Paris Agreement gives no answers on where it will source 84 million tonnes of planet-heating pollution savings currently missing from it's climate plans. All countries signed up to the Paris Agreement have until the end of December to file Biennial Transparency Reports, sharing their progress with the international community. New Zealand's was published on Wednesday. It said "the scale of emission reductions required to meet the target is greater than what can be achieved in an economically feasible way through domestic action alone". But it did not say how the go...
Israeli airstrikes kill nine in Yemen, Houthi TV says
World News

Israeli airstrikes kill nine in Yemen, Houthi TV says

A damaged school building in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, on 19 December after the campus was struck by debris from the reported interception of a projectile from Yemen. Photo: JACK GUEZ / AFP Israel's "long hand" will reach the leaders of Yemen's Houthi movement, Defence Minister Israel Katz has vowed, after unleashing airstrikes on several areas of the Arab country overnight. The Israeli airstrikes killed nine people, said Al Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by the Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of the country. Seven of those were in the port of Salif and two in the Ras Issa oil facility, both located in the western province of Hodeidah. The strikes also targeted two central power stations south and north of the capital, Sanaa, it added. "I warn the leaders of the ...