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Assad's fall in Syria is a 'fundamental act of justice,' but also 'a moment of risk,' Biden says
As the investigation into the chief prosecutor's alleged solicitation of prostitution continues, the people of Heilongjiang are left to ponder the implications of this scandal on the integrity of the judicial system and the trustworthiness of those entrusted with upholding justice.As production ramps up at Boeing's 737 MAX assembly line, workers are returning to their posts with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The successful resolution of the labor strike has paved the way for a more collaborative and productive relationship between management and labor, setting the stage for future cooperation and success. With the resumption of production, Boeing looks forward to delivering new 737 MAX aircraft to customers and restoring its position as a leader in the global aerospace industry.Fans of the popular virtual idol Sora were ecstatic when news broke that she would finally be making her debut. The anticipation among her dedicated followers had been building for months, with speculation running rampant about what her arrival would mean for the entertainment industry. However, just as excitement reached its peak, OpenAI, the leading AI research lab, threw a bucket of cold water on the hype.
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Citing Hunter Biden pardon, Trump asks judge to dismiss his criminal hush money caseHouseholds could face double-digit council tax hikes to fund services when current freeze on bills ends in spring Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By TOM GORDON DEPUTY SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 22:50, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 22:50, 8 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Families face costly tax rises after the finance chief for Scots councils refused to rule out double-digit increases when the current freeze ends this spring. Katie Hagmann, resources spokeswoman for council umbrella body Cosla, said ‘difficult decisions’ lay ahead, with hikes needed to keep services running. SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison last week said there was ‘no reason’ for big tax rises after she raised council funding by £1billion to £15billion in her 2025-26 budget. But Cllr Hagmann said the real terms increase was barely half what councils asked for, as authorities needed to make up for years and years of cuts. In comments that raise the prospect of costly increases, she told BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show that more money than councils got in the Budget was required. She said: ‘It’s fair to say that there’s still going to be difficult decisions that some councils are going to have to make. ‘We asked for an increase of 5 per cent and we have had a real terms increase. However, it’s only 2.6 per cent. So while this is really welcome news, we’re not out of the woods yet.’ The SNP has frozen or capped council tax in all but two of its 17 years in office. When councils had free rein in 2022-23 and 2023-24, the average rises were 3 and 5 per cent. Finance minister Shona Robison delivering the Scottish budget on Wednesday Former first minister Humza Yousaf froze it again this year, but next year councils can set what they like again. Last week, Perth and Kinross Council approved provisional plans for a rise of 10 per cent on bills next year - then 10 per cent and 6 per cent in the years after that. Shetlands Islands Council is also consulting on a hike of up to 10 per cent next year, while Aberdeenshire has asked residents about a possible 20 per cent rise. Cosla, which represents Scotland’s 32 local authorities, recently said local government was close to a ‘tipping point’ because of stretched resources. It has demanded a £694million, or 5 per cent, increase in revenue funding to £14.5billion in 2025-26 and a £163million, or 23 per cent rise, in capital funding to £872million, to adjust for soaring inflation since 2020. Cllr Hagmann, an SNP member of Dumfries & Galloway Council, went on: ‘We do have concerns, and we would like additional funding for delivery of health and social care.’ Inadequate funding meant cuts, she said, or ‘council tax is one lever that we can use to safeguard services - council tax increases could be used to fund services locally’. Pressed on whether double-digit rises were realistic, she did not deny it. She said: ‘This is the first time that we’ve had a real terms increase for a number of years. There’s been significant cuts throughout the previous years. Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport Advertisement ‘That will be down to local councils. Our ask had been heard by Scottish Government for no council tax freeze and no cap. It’s not going to be easy. But the very last thing we want to do is to add the pressures onto families, onto our communities, who may already be struggling.’ She said Scotland’s 32 councils would have a better idea of what they faced when they got their individual funding figures later this week. Meanwhile, Russell Findlay told the programme Scotland’s benefits bill - set to rise from £6.9 billion to £8.8 billion by 2030 and already running £1.3 billion ahead of Treasury funding - was ‘unsustainable’. The Scottish Tory leader said: ‘We can’t continue to increase benefits and increase taxes. The entire benefits bill needs to be looked at.’ Citing the budget decision to restore free bus travel for asylum seekers for £2million, he said: ‘That money would pay for the winter fuel payment for 6,000 Scottish pensioners who are in desperate need of it - that’s a much better way of spending that money. ‘This ever increasing benefits bill is unsustainable. It’s unaffordable. It lacks basic common sense. It can’t continue down this path.’ Ms Robison said some devolved benefits helped children out of poverty, benefitting society and reducing demand for public services down the line. She denied the Scottish public sector was ‘bloated’ but added: ‘Does it need to be more efficient and productive? Does it need to change and reform? Yes.’ Humza Yousaf Scotland Taxes SNP Share or comment on this article: Households could face double-digit council tax hikes to fund services when current freeze on bills ends in spring e-mail Add comment6. Improperly Installed or Used Gas Appliances: Incorrect installation or improper use of gas appliances, such as gas stoves or fireplaces, can increase the likelihood of carbon monoxide leaks. It is crucial to follow manufacturer's instructions and have appliances installed by qualified professionals.
Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news, Former Secret Service agent Richard Staropoli warned Thursday that Donald Trump could be targeted in an attack before he is inaugurated as president, and that the Secret Service may not be able to prevent it. During a FOX News interview, Staropoli suggested Trump could face a threat “of a much bigger magnitude” than the two assassination attempts earlier in the year. Staropoli said that he is “not highly confident at all,” that Trump can be kept safe, noting “The Secret Service that you see out there today is not the Secret Service of yesteryear.” “Somewhere along the line they’ve completely dropped the ball,” he continued, adding “That testimony that you saw today was purely a smokescreen to cover up the shortcomings of a politically compromised agency.” Staropoli was referring to testimony in the House by Acting Director Ronald Rowe and other Secret Service officials before the task force investigating the first assassination attempt on Trump in July. “It should never have gotten to that point,” Starapoli urged, adding “This whole talk about all these drones and these UAVs, hey, that’s all great, but you need to get back to the basics. What made the Secret Service great was its ability to put human intelligence, manpower on the streets and effectively secure the environment to make it safe for the president of the United States. I don’t see that here.” “As a matter of fact, I don’t think I’d be alone in saying that I certainly can see something happening between now and inauguration day,” Staropoli warned. He added, “it’s not going to be some 20-year-old kid on the roof of a building that’s allowed to get within 100 yards. It’s going to be something of a much bigger magnitude and I don’t think the Secret Service is anywhere equipped to handle that situation.” Watch: Ex-Secret Service agent Richard Staropoli warns Trump could face major attack before taking office: "I don’t think I’d be alone in saying that I certainly can see something happening between now and inauguration day. And it’s not going to be some 20-year-old kid on the roof of a... pic.twitter.com/ZrONGIOXHp During the House testimony, Rowe got into an extremely heated exchange with Republican Rep. Pat Fallon of Texas over Rowe’s attendance at a 9/11 memorial event. BREAKING: An exchange between acting USSS director Ronald Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon just exploded into an angry shouting match during a hearing on the Trump ass*ss*nation attempts. pic.twitter.com/XxPiwqqLIo The full exchange, before the screaming began, is here: Holy cow!!! I feel like I'm watching a scene from a few good men! Sen. Pat Fallon addressing Secret Service in Ferry heated exchange pic.twitter.com/Ns43wIWJnZ Back in July, Fallon tore into then Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, telling her that “it is a miracle president Trump wasn’t killed,” and that she should be immediately fired and sent “back to guarding Doritos.” OH MY LORD. Congressman Pat Fallon (R-Texas) just DESTROYED Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. “You should be fired immediately. And go back to guarding Doritos!” pic.twitter.com/3oAIdBcHtV * * * Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch . Follow us on X @ModernityNews .The exchange began when President Zelensky tweeted, "Exciting times ahead! Looking forward to what the future holds." Musk, known for his active presence on Twitter, quickly replied with a thinking face emoji, sparking speculation and curiosity among both his followers and the general public.