Author: Amanda Martinez

French President Emmanuel Macron will announce a new prime minister to achieve French government stability. This move comes after the French parliament ousted Michel Barnier as prime minister in a non-confidence vote eight days ago. Macron has promised to come up with a replacement. An opinion poll suggests 61% of French voters are worried about the political situation. Macron has been holding round-table talks with leaders from all the main political parties, except for the far-left France Unbowed and far-right National Rally. He will remain in office until 2027 with a government that will not be brought down like Barnier’s…

US President Joe Biden has issued 39 presidential pardons to Americans convicted of non-violent crimes and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 other people. This move marks the most acts of presidential clemency issued in a signal day, underscoring Biden’s commitment to justice reform. According to Biden, the individuals pardoned had shown successful rehabilitation. They have demonstrated a commitment to making their communities stronger and safer. Their non-violent convictions included drug offenses, highlighting the need for a more compassionate approach to drug policy. The commuted sentences were for hundreds of people who were placed in home confinement during the COVID-19…

President Joe Biden pardoned 39 Americans convicted of nonviolent crimes and commuted 1,500 lengthy sentences. The White House announced this as the most presidential clemency act issued in a single day in US history. According to Biden’s statement, the people pardoned were the ones who showed signs of getting better and helped to make their neighborhoods safer. The clemency act included those with drug-related charges and those who received unreasonably lengthy sentences under outdated laws. Hundreds of people who were confined in house confinement during the COVID-19 outbreak had their sentences commuted by Biden. The White House highlighted notable recipients…

Romania and Bulgaria are finally joining the European Union’s border-free Schengen travel zone, which will be a relief to the 25 million people living in these countries. This decision comes 17 years after Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed it as a day of joy. The new laws will take effect on January 1, 2025. Travelers will drive from Romania and Bulgaria to France, Spain, or Norway without a passport. Although border checks were lifted for air and sea travel last March, Austria only recently lifted its resistance to ending land…

Queensland’s new youth justice reform, baked by Premier David Crisafulli, will allow children as young as 10 to face adult jail time for serious crimes. This decision has sparked controversy among experts. The Queensland government claims the new laws will be a deterrent and address community concerns about youth crimes. However, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that youth crime has decreased by half over the past 14 years. Additionally, the laws list 13 offenses that will carry harsher prison sentences for youths, including mandatory life detention for murder with a non-parole period of 20 years. Previously, the maximum…

Yoon Suk Yeol, the President of South Korea, justified his decision to impose martial law, saying it was a critical decision he made to save democracy. In a Thursday broadcast speech, Yoon claimed the action was intended to combat the opposition’s “parliamentary dictatorship.” He made these comments as lawmakers are ready for this Saturday’s second impeachment vote. Yoon faced instant criticism and widespread protests after imposing martial law, which parliament overturned in six hours. Protesters took to the streets of Seoul, demanding his resignation and accusing him of rebellion. Police raided Yoon’s office on wednesday, further escalating the situation. Despite…

When Bashar-al-Assad’s regime fell, Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, promised to shut down Assad’s torture prisons. The rebel forces freed thousands of detainees from Saydnaya prison, which was infamous for its harsh conditions and named by the right group as a “human slaughterhouse.” Jolani’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led the invasion that overthrew Assad and put an end to his family’s 54-year rule. Around 60,000 people died in Assad’s prisons due to torture, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Jolani declared that his group would hunt those involved in the atrocities,…

Tal and Oren Alexander, renowned luxury real estate brokers, and their brother Alon, have been charged with sex trafficking. This shocking development has sent shockwaves through the high-end real estate industry. The Alexander brothers’ sex trafficking charges are a stark reminder of the dark side of luxury. Prosecutors allege that the Alexander brothers used their wealth and influence to lure women into situations where they were drugged, assaulted and raped. The alleged crimes spanned over a decade and took place in various locations in the US and abroad. Moreover, the indictment reveals a sinister scheme. The brothers would invite women…

Since global coffee prices have surged to an all-time high this year, coffee lovers may soon have to pay more. The cost of Arabica beans, which account for most of the world’s coffee production, increased by 80% in 2024 to $3.44 a pound on Tuesday. Similarly, unfavorable weather in essential coffee-producing countries has caused prices for robusta beans to soar, reaching a new high in September. Brazil, the world’s largest Arabica producer, has faced its worst drought in 70 years, followed by heavy rains that disrupted its crops. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s top Robusta supplier has struggled with similar weather issues, further…

North Korea condemned South Korea after its recent declaration of martial law, accusing President Yoon Suk Yeol of plunging the nation into chaos. On Wednesday, Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s main newspaper, labeled the South a “pandemonium” following President Yoon’s attempt to seize control of the National Assembly. The turmoil began on December 3, when President Yoon ordered troops to intervene in South Korea’s National Assembly. This move provoked widespread protests across the country, leading opposition lawmakers to attempt an impeachment vote. However, Yoon’s party boycotted the effort, leaving South Korea grappling with a political vacuum. However, critics argue that the…

Flooding in Staffordshire has become a recurring nightmare for residents at Mallard Close, who live in Madeley. The issue of flooding in Staffordshire is a concern, and residents are desperate for a solution. Pete Landon, an 84-year-old resident, has been severely affected. He has been forced to sweep water and clean up the sludge outside his home multiple times. Recently, he underwent knee and hip replacement surgery, making the task even more challenging. “We’re praying every night that we won’t get any rain and wake up to another flood in the garage,” he says. Furthermore, the flooding has been attributed…

The India fake firing scandal has sparked a heated debate about the ethics of publicity stunts. An Indian beauty service start-up, Yes Madam, is at the center of the controversy. The company sent an internal email to employees stating that they would be parting ways with those who reported feeling stressed at work. However, the company later clarified that the email was part of a campaign to highlight the issue of workplace stress. The incident has raised questions about the ethics of using publicity stunts to promote a brand. Brand experts say that while such stunts may generate buzz, they…