A Belgrade court sentenced Vladimir Kecmanovic to 14.5 years and Miljana Kecmanovic to three years for their roles in the May 2023 school shooting that killed ten. Vladimir was found guilty of endangering public safety and child neglect, while Miljana was convicted of child neglect. The shooting instructor also received a prison sentence. Both the prosecution and defense plan to appeal the verdict.
Donald Trump’s cabinet picks reveal a pattern of appointing individuals who have previously lost elections, including those defeated by him and within the Republican party. This strategy contrasts with his public rhetoric of celebrating “winners,” suggesting a deliberate effort to select loyalists unlikely to oppose his agenda. These appointments, encompassing figures from various races and levels of government, indicate a prioritization of unwavering allegiance over experience or prior electoral success. Trump’s stated goal is to avoid the “mistakes” of his first term by surrounding himself with completely compliant individuals.
Following the death of former President Jimmy Carter, President Biden contrasted Carter’s decency and humanitarian efforts with those of his predecessor, Donald Trump. Biden highlighted Carter’s legacy of service and global impact, emphasizing his commitment to human rights and peaceful conflict resolution. In response, Trump issued measured statements praising Carter while acknowledging their political differences. This contrasted sharply with Trump’s previous criticisms of Carter. Carter’s state funeral is scheduled for January 9th.
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President Biden declared January 9th a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at age 100. Flags will be flown at half-staff across the nation and at U.S. embassies abroad for 30 days. Biden encouraged Americans to attend religious services in Carter’s honor, and an official state funeral is planned. Public memorial services will be held in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., with final details forthcoming.
Russia has definitively declined any invitation to the Global Peace Summit, citing Ukraine’s unwillingness to compromise on its 1991 borders and the complete withdrawal of Russian troops. Ukraine, aiming to hold the summit before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, continues preparations, despite delays. While initially suggesting Russia’s presence was a non-starter, Zelenskyy later indicated a willingness to invite Russia, though he believes Putin is uninterested in peace. Ukraine’s plan involves a multi-point peace proposal, contingent on a globally-supported framework.
In 2024, global population growth slowed slightly to 0.9%, adding over 71 million people and reaching 8.09 billion by New Year’s Day. This follows a 2023 increase of 75 million. The U.S. population concurrently rose by 2.6 million, reaching 341 million, driven by a combination of births, deaths, and net international migration. This growth represents a slower rate than the previous decade.
President Carter’s life exemplified unwavering faith and dedicated service, marked by achievements including his role in the Camp David Accords and his commitment to environmental protection and government transparency. His presidency, and subsequent work through the Carter Center, championed peace, democracy, and human rights globally. Supported by his wife Rosalynn, his legacy of decency and compassion continues to inspire. His profound impact on the world is undeniable.
A federal appeals court upheld a lower court’s ruling against Donald Trump, rejecting his appeal of a jury verdict finding him liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. The court dismissed Trump’s arguments that the inclusion of testimony from other women who accused him of sexual misconduct and his own statements on the Access Hollywood tape were erroneous. The judges affirmed the jury’s assessment of the facts, stating that even if some evidentiary rulings were flawed, they did not affect Trump’s substantial rights. Trump’s repeated denials and accusations against Carroll were deemed irrelevant to the court’s decision.
A new decree mandates the development of a law expelling illegal migrants from Russia by April 30, 2025. This measure excludes those legally residing in the country. The decree notably impacts residents of occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast lacking Russian passports, who will be considered foreigners from January 1, 2025, and subject to expulsion after exceeding the 90-day visa-free limit. This effectively forces the displacement of a significant portion of the population in this area.
John Q. Hosedrinker