Category: World

  • Gandapur Calls for Talks with Taliban for Peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    Gandapur Calls for Talks with Taliban for Peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    In Peshawar, Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said talking to the current Taliban government in Afghanistan is the best way to keep peace and security in the area. He is part of Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Gandapur believes that if other countries can recognize the Taliban, then Pakistan should also communicate with them for the region’s safety.

    “Our province shares a long border with Afghanistan and faces serious problems because of it,” Gandapur said. He mentioned that he has discussed starting talks with Afghanistan in meetings with local and national leaders. He criticized the federal government for not taking real steps toward negotiations.

    “Our police and security teams are working hard and giving their lives to keep peace here. We have faced a lot of terrorism, but we are trying to stop it from spreading,” he added. Gandapur reported that many criminals have been caught in southern districts recently, showing that they are fighting against terrorism.

    He claimed that during Khan’s time as Prime Minister (2018 to 2022), the law and order situation was good, but it got worse after the new government took over in 2022. “Instead of focusing on other important tasks, institutions are trying to weaken my party, PTI. When I started my job, things were bad, but I am working hard to make them better,” he explained.

    Gandapur also stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is doing better than other provinces in terms of government performance. “We have met the IMF’s goals, which no other province has done,” he claimed. “No one has fought harder for democracy and freedom as we have.”

    Recently, Gandapur threatened to hold more protests against the federal government to help free the jailed former Prime Minister, Imran Khan. “We will keep protesting until our demands are met,” he told reporters. He compared their protests to a famous battle, saying they are just getting started.

    On November 24, PTI will march to demand the return of Khan’s political rights, the freedom of jailed party members, and to undo changes that made the government more strict. Gandapur’s strong words show that they are committed to fighting for their cause.

  • Turkey Teams Up with Syria to Dismantle Kurdish Forces

    Turkey Teams Up with Syria to Dismantle Kurdish Forces

    Turkey announced that a new rebel government in Syria agrees with them about the need to get rid of Kurdish military groups. These groups are important allies for the US in northern Syria. Turkey has been unhappy with the US for supporting the Kurds, especially since Kurdish presence near the Turkish border is seen as a major security risk.

    Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said, “The PKK and YPG, groups that Turkey considers to be terrorists, will eventually be dissolved.” However, no official agreement has been made yet, and it’s unclear if the new Syrian leaders will agree.

    Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a group controlling parts of Syria and linked to al-Qaeda, hasn’t specifically talked about these discussions with Turkey. But they have promised to protect religious minorities. The US, EU, and Turkey all label the PKK as a terrorist group, but Turkey also sees YPG—part of the US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces—as connected to the PKK.

    During a recent visit to Turkey, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the Kurdish issue with Turkish leaders, who asked the US to reconsider its support for the Kurdish militia. The US still counts on the Syrian Democratic Forces to help fight against ISIS, particularly after the fall of the Assad regime.

    Turkey wants the YPG to stop fighting and have foreign fighters leave Syria. Guler emphasized that the PKK/YPG cannot act on their own and called for their removal from Syria. He also said that the US hasn’t yet answered their offer to send three brigades to help fight ISIS in Syria.

    Guler even questioned the threats from ISIS, stating that there hasn’t been much news about them lately in Syria. Blinken said that US officials have been talking with HTS and other groups about how to guide Syria’s political changes. Both Turkey and the US called for peace during a recent summit in Jordan.

    Guler believes it’s important to see how the new rebel government acts and said they are ready to support military training if it’s needed.

  • Trump Appoints Devin Nunes to Lead Intelligence Advisory Board

    Trump Appoints Devin Nunes to Lead Intelligence Advisory Board

    Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has chosen Devin Nunes to lead the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB). This board helps the President understand how well the intelligence agencies are working. Trump shared this news on his Truth Social platform, saying, “Devin will use his experience from being the former Chair of the House Intelligence Committee and his work to expose the Russia Hoax to provide me with his thoughts on the intelligence community’s effectiveness.”

    So, who is Devin Nunes? Here are some quick facts:

    1. Nunes is a strong supporter of Trump and is currently the CEO of Truth Social, a social media platform created by Trump in February 2022. He will do both jobs at the same time.

    2. He is a Republican and used to be a member of the House of Representatives from California.

    3. In December 2021, Nunes left Congress to become the CEO of Trump Media & Technology Group, which runs Truth Social.

    4. He was the Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in 2015 and released a memo in 2018 claiming the FBI was working against Trump. Some Democrats said the memo was misleading.

    5. This appointment is just one of many where Trump has chosen people linked to his media company, including Kash Patel for FBI director and Linda McMahon for the Department of Education, who are also on the board of Trump Media.

  • 19-Year-Old Student Sues School for $3 Million After Bullying Claims

    19-Year-Old Student Sues School for $3 Million After Bullying Claims

    A 19-year-old student named Aleysha Ortiz, who went to Hartford Public School and has a disability, says she graduated without being able to read or write. She has now filed a lawsuit because she was bullied and neglected by the school staff, including her special education case manager.

    Aleysha is asking for $3 million in damages. Her lawyer, Anthony Spinella, said, “We’re not asking for help to learn reading and writing. We’re suing to get back the emotional pain she felt while trying to get the school to help her and how badly some teachers and staff treated her.”

    This is Aleysha’s second lawsuit against the school and its staff. In her first suit, she asked for help learning basic skills she missed in school, and that case is still ongoing.

    In the new lawsuit, she claims her special education case manager, Tilda Santiago, bullied her for months. Aleysha says Santiago tried to control who could help her and even argued with teachers. According to the lawsuit, Santiago embarrassed her in front of others, scared her, and changed her attendance records.

    The Hartford Board of Education employees are also accused of not doing their jobs to stop the bullying against Aleysha.

  • Blinken’s Crucial Trip: Shaping Syria’s Future After Assad

    Blinken’s Crucial Trip: Shaping Syria’s Future After Assad

    Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, has just completed what might be his last trip to the Middle East as the top U.S. diplomat. His mission was to stop Syria from falling further into chaos after President Bashar Assad suddenly left the country for Russia. Blinken traveled to Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq, hoping to work together with other countries about what should happen in Syria now that Assad is gone.

    During his trip, Blinken pointed out that what happens in Syria can have serious effects on the whole region, including problems like people fleeing their homes and the threat of terrorism. He spoke with leaders from Arab nations, Turkey, and important officials from the European Union and the United Nations in Jordan. They all agreed that the new government in Syria should respect the rights of everyone, especially minorities and women, and prevent terrorist groups from gaining power.

    One of Blinken’s goals is to maintain stability in the region, especially since the Islamic State group remains a threat. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria, helping to fight this group and ensure they don’t regain control. After Assad stepped down, the U.S. quickly targeted around 75 terrorist positions in a bid to stop them from growing stronger.

    As Blinken made these important discussions, there were concerns about how the incoming Trump administration would handle Middle East issues. Trump has been vocal about releasing hostages in Gaza and generally wants the U.S. to stay out of Syria. However, officials believe Trump might not cut U.S. military presence in Syria because he often takes credit for defeating ISIS.

    The Biden administration is also focused on finding Americans missing in Syria, including Austin Tice, a journalist who has been missing for over ten years. They are working hard to locate him and return him home. Recently, another American named Travis Timmerman was found and safely transported to Jordan after being held in Syria.

  • US Stands By South Korea After Yoon Suk Yeol’s Impeachment

    US Stands By South Korea After Yoon Suk Yeol’s Impeachment

    On December 15, 2023, the United States expressed its strong support for South Korea and its people after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached. This happened because he tried to declare martial law, which caused a big disagreement.

    Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US Department of State, said that the friendship (or alliance) between the US and South Korea is very strong and that they have worked well together in recent years. He stated, “Our commitment to this alliance is unbreakable.” Miller also said the US is ready to work with the new acting president, Han Duck-soo, and continue to support South Korea’s democratic values.

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke about the situation. He highlighted that South Korea showed it can handle challenges democratically and peacefully. “We support the Korean people and our strong friendship,” Blinken stated.

    The political situation in South Korea has been tough lately. President Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly after trying to impose martial law. The assembly voted 204 to 85 to remove him from office. Yoon will remain suspended while the country’s Constitutional Court reviews the situation. In the meantime, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is stepping in as the acting president.

  • South Korea’s Political Crisis: Impeachment of President Yoon Explained

    South Korea’s Political Crisis: Impeachment of President Yoon Explained

    On Sunday, the opposition leader in South Korea asked the Constitutional Court to quickly decide on whether to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. This request came after parliament voted to impeach him because he tried to impose martial law for just a few hours.

    While the court is deciding, Yoon’s powers are suspended, which means he can’t make decisions for the country. The court has 180 days to make its ruling, and if they remove Yoon, a new election for his replacement must happen within 60 days.

    The Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo, is now running things while Yoon is suspended. Han was chosen by Yoon, but the current government has found it hard to pass laws because the opposition party controls parliament.

    Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, spoke to the media on Sunday. He said a quick court ruling is essential to avoid further problems for the country. Lee suggested creating a national council where the government and parliament can talk and work together to solve issues. He emphasized that cooperation between political parties is important to overcome the standstill caused by Yoon’s decision.

    Lee also mentioned that the Democratic Party won’t try to impeach Han for not stopping Yoon’s short-lived martial law, saying it could create more confusion. He stressed the importance of working with all parties to stabilize the country and regain international trust.

    Yoon’s attempt at martial law on December 3 was the first in over forty years. It lasted only six hours but created a political crisis and scared financial markets. Parliament quickly voted to cancel the martial law when Yoon sent troops and police to the building to try to stop them, but no major violence happened.

    Opposition leaders accuse Yoon of trying to rebel against parliament, arguing that the president can only declare martial law during wars or serious emergencies, and even then, he cannot stop parliament’s work. Yoon defends his actions, claiming he was trying to warn the Democratic Party, which he calls anti-government because it has often challenged his authority and delayed important budget plans.

  • Tragic Death of Georgia Football Star Gleaton Jones at Just 21 Years

    Tragic Death of Georgia Football Star Gleaton Jones at Just 21 Years

    Gleaton Jones, a young Georgia football player, tragically passed away on December 13 at just 21 years old. He was in a serious car accident while hunting on St. George Island in Florida. Before his death, he fought hard to recover after suffering a severe brain injury in the crash on December 10 and needed emergency surgery to help him.

    Jones had a bright future in sports. He joined the Georgia Bulldogs football team in 2021 and was part of their championship-winning team. Before playing for Georgia, he was a star athlete at Deerfield-Windsor School in Albany, winning many awards for football, including All-State and All-Region honors. Besides football, Jones also enjoyed track and basketball in high school.

    Gleaton was born on March 12, 2003, and was very close to his family, especially his younger brother, Cole. His family remembers him as a loving son and a great older brother who always encouraged and supported Cole. They are planning to celebrate his life at Wynfield Plantation on Monday, December 16, at 2 p.m.

    Jones is survived by his parents, Marlin and Kirk, and his brother, Cole. He was also excited to graduate in the spring from the University of Georgia’s Terry School of Business, where he was studying marketing. He hoped to work with his dad on their family farm.

  • Han Duck-Soo Takes Over as Acting President of South Korea

    Han Duck-Soo Takes Over as Acting President of South Korea

    This Saturday, Han Duck-Soo became South Korea’s acting President after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol due to his attempt to declare a short martial law. In his first speech, Han promised to make sure that there would be no gaps in the government and that his team would work hard to keep the trust of important allies, especially the United States and Japan.

    So, who is this Han Duck-Soo?

    Han is a 75-year-old expert who has worked in the government for over thirty years and has experience helping both conservative and liberal leaders. He has had many important jobs, like being the finance minister and even the ambassador to the OECD. He was crucial in signing the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement because he speaks English very well and helped the U.S. Congress agree to it.

    Notably, Han was also on the board of S-Oil, a major oil company connected to Saudi Aramco. Former President Yoon praised Han for his abilities, saying he was chosen for his skills and not because of any political ties.

    However, Han is also under scrutiny. Investigators looking into former President Yoon are checking Han’s involvement in the recent martial law issues. Some experts believe Han’s time as acting president may be affected by these investigations.

    Han will lead the country until the Constitutional Court decides whether to officially remove Yoon or let him remain in power. If the court removes Yoon, a new presidential election will have to happen within 60 days.

  • Iranian-American Journalist Gets 10-Year Sentence for U.S. Ties

    Iranian-American Journalist Gets 10-Year Sentence for U.S. Ties

    An Iranian-American journalist named Reza Valizadeh has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. A court in Iran found him guilty of working with a government that Iran considers hostile, which is the United States. Valizadeh used to work for Voice of America’s Farsi service, which is funded by the U.S. government, and also for Radio Farda.

    His lawyer, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, said the court’s decision can be challenged in an appeal within 20 days. He mentioned he has not been able to meet Valizadeh since the court’s decision was made public.

    Before his sentencing, Valizadeh posted messages saying he returned to Iran after being away for 13 years, without any security guarantee. He arrived in Tehran in March 2024. Aghasi mentioned that Valizadeh was free for the first six months after his return, but was then arrested.

    This news comes after another former journalist, Kianoosh Sanjari, died by jumping from a building in Iran. He protested against the country’s leader and demanded the release of four prisoners.

    Additionally, years of unrest in Iran have continued, especially following the 2022 protests after the death of Mahsa Amini. The economy is also suffering, with many people struggling due to the weak rial currency.