A George Mason University student who is allegedly obsessed with martyrdom and ISIS was arrested and accused of plotting an attack on the Israeli consulate in New York City, officials said Friday. Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan violated federal codes against distributing information on weapons in furtherance of a violent crime and planning to kill a foreign official, according to a complaint filed on Monday by FBI Special Agent Tyler Ellefson. The suspect is a GMU freshman majoring in information technology, the school said. "Although the student did not live on campus, he has been barred from entering university property," GMU Vice President Paul Allvin said in a statement to NBC News on Friday. "As criminal proceedings progress, the university will take appropriate action on student code of conduct violations." Hassan, who lives in Falls Church, Virginia, first came to the FBI's attention on May 4 this year, when Fairfax County police notified federal authorities about someone engaging in “radical and terrorist-leaning behavior" on social media, according to the affidavit supporting the suspect's arrest. Investigators eventually linked that X user to Hassan, who was then contacted by an FBI informant, a "confidential human source" called "CH-1" in court papers. Hassan sent the informant "a pro-ISIS video that called for the killing of Jews" and the agent "responded to this video by pledging allegiance to the leader of ISIS and calling Hassan his emir," the court papers said. The informant said he couldn't travel overseas to join ISIS and wondered if god "wants me to act here," according to the FBI. That's when Hassan allegedly recruited "CH-1 to conduct a mass casualty attack" on U.S. soil. When that undercover agent told Hassan that he was in New York City, the suspect called the five boroughs "a goldmine of targets," the affidavit said. The suspect gave the agent "operational support" on the "manufacture and use of an explosive device" for "the planned attack on the Consulate General of Israel" in New York City, federal authorities said. "He said CH-1 could either murder people at the consulate with an assault rifle or detonate an explosive vest while standing in a group of targets," Ellefson wrote. As they hatched the plot, Hassan told the informant "to 'schedule a flight out of the country' and that it should be to 'somewhere where there are no extradition laws,'” federal officials said. A court-appointed attorney for Hassan could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday.
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In his year-end press conference on December 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin reflected on a range of issues, from the ongoing war in Ukraine to Russia’s evolving nuclear doctrine and its foreign policy. Putin acknowledged that, in hindsight, Russia should have prepared more systematically for the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which he continues to refer to as a “special military operation.” He added that the country should have launched a full-scale invasion earlier, highlighting the lessons learned from the conflict, which has entered its second year. Putin’s statements underscored his belief that Russia was forced to act to protect its sovereignty, particularly in light of what he described as a period leading up to the invasion when the country was at risk of losing its sovereignty. He reflected on how Russia had regained its autonomy since his time in office, contrasting it with the challenges faced during Boris Yeltsin’s presidency 25 years ago. In his view, Russia’s sovereignty had been preserved against overwhelming external pressures. Turning to foreign policy, Putin was asked about the recent developments in Syria, particularly regarding the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. He insisted that the situation was “complicated,” but not a defeat for Russia, which had supported Assad militarily throughout the conflict. Putin mentioned that he had not yet spoken with the ousted Syrian leader, who fled to Moscow as rebel forces advanced on Damascus, but intended to do so soon. Russia, he said, would continue its talks with Syria’s new leadership to retain strategic military bases on the Mediterranean coast, which could potentially be repurposed for humanitarian efforts. Putin was also questioned about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, noting that it had been four years since the two leaders last spoke but expressing readiness to meet him again if Trump desired. In a moment of levity, when asked if he was in a weaker position compared to the incoming U.S. President, Putin quipped, quoting Mark Twain: “The rumours of my death are much exaggerated,” which drew laughter from the assembled journalists. On relations with China, Putin asserted that Russia’s ties with its eastern neighbor had reached unprecedented levels. He described the bilateral cooperation between Russia and China as historically unparalleled, with both nations coordinating actions on the world stage. The majority of Putin’s remarks, however, focused on the war in Ukraine, where he claimed Russia was making progress on the frontlines “every day,” describing his troops as “heroes.” He presented a signed flag from Russian marines fighting in the Kursk region as a symbol of their bravery and commitment. He also emphasized the ongoing construction projects in territories seized from Ukraine, citing improvements in infrastructure, particularly in the Luhansk region, which has been under Russian control since 2014. Putin was pressed on the West’s response to Russia’s nuclear posture, specifically its updated nuclear doctrine, which was passed in November. Under this new policy, Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons against any nation that launches an attack on it, or its allies, if those nations are backed by nuclear powers. The doctrine, he argued, was a necessary safeguard of Russian sovereignty, and he hinted that the West might not fully appreciate the message behind it. On military technology, Putin highlighted Russia’s newly developed intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, which was used in a November strike on Ukraine. He provocatively suggested that Russia should test the missile’s power by firing it at Ukraine, with the expectation that Ukraine’s air defenses, which rely on U.S.-supplied systems, would try to intercept it. When asked about the missile’s name, Putin jokingly admitted, “Honestly, no idea. No clue.” Throughout the press conference, the theme of “Russian sovereignty” was prevalent, with Putin emphasizing that less reliance on foreign partners—especially due to Western sanctions—was one of the key outcomes of the Ukraine invasion. While he claimed that Russia’s economy was stable, he acknowledged that inflation, at 9.1%, was “alarming,” though he pointed to higher growth rates than countries like Germany. He also discussed the country’s economic challenges, noting that it was increasingly reliant on military production to sustain its economy. On domestic issues, Putin touched on a variety of topics, from the difficulties faced by young people in securing mortgages to the rise in telephone scams. However, his remarks underscored the sense of self-sufficiency he believed Russia had achieved, despite the ongoing hardships. The four-hour press conference, titled “Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin,” was tightly controlled, with Putin answering questions from the public, foreign journalists, and pensioners. It was broadcast live across state TV channels and served as an opportunity for the president to assert his narrative on Russia’s role in global affairs, the economy, and the war in Ukraine. As the country faces a challenging year ahead, Putin’s reflections provide insight into his stance on sovereignty, military power, and Russia’s place in the world.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has staggered from scandal to crisis but he surprised everyone this week by declaring martial law -- only then to survive an impeachment vote. The plunge back to South Korea's dark days of military rule only lasted a few hours, and after a night of protests and high drama Yoon was forced into a U-turn in the early hours of Wednesday. But polls show a huge majority of citizens want him out and lawmakers voted Saturday on an impeachment motion brought by the opposition, who control parliament. But even though only eight of them needed to support the motion for it to pass, all but three MPs from Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote and it failed. This is despite the PPP's leader Han Dong-hoon -- allegedly on an arrest list the night of the martial law declaration -- saying Yoon's resignation was "inevitable". On Saturday before the vote, Yoon spoke publicly for the first time in days, apologising for the "anxiety and inconvenience" he caused, but stopping short of throwing in the towel. Instead the 63-year-old said he would "entrust the party with measures to stabilise the political situation, including my term in office". Born in Seoul in 1960 months before a military coup, Yoon studied law and went on to become a star public prosecutor and anti-corruption crusader. He played an instrumental role in Park Geun-hye, South Korea's first female president, being convicted of abuse of power, imprisoned and impeached in 2016. As the country's top prosecutor in 2019, he also indicted a top aide of Park's successor, Moon Jae-in, in a fraud and bribery case. The conservative PPP, in opposition at the time, liked what they saw and convinced Yoon to become their presidential candidate. He duly won in March 2022, beating Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, but by the narrowest margin in South Korean history. Yoon was never much loved by the public, especially by women -- he vowed on the campaign trail to abolish the ministry of gender equality -- and scandals have come thick and fast. This included his administration's handling of a 2022 crowd crush during Halloween festivities that killed more than 150 people. Voters have also blamed Yoon's administration for food inflation, a lagging economy and increasing constraints on freedom of speech. He was accused of abusing presidential vetoes, notably to strike down a bill paving the way for a special investigation into alleged stock manipulation by his wife Kim Keon Hee. Yoon suffered further reputational damage last year when his wife was secretly filmed accepting a designer handbag worth $2,000 as a gift. Yoon insisted it would have been rude to refuse. His mother-in-law, Choi Eun-soon, was sentenced to one year in prison for forging financial documents in a real estate deal. She was released in May 2024. Yoon himself was the subject of a petition calling for his impeachment earlier this year, which proved so popular the parliamentary website hosting it experienced delays and crashes. As president, Yoon has maintained a tough stance against nuclear-armed North Korea and bolstered ties with Seoul's traditional ally, the United States. Last year, he sang Don McLean's "American Pie" at the White House, prompting US President Joe Biden to respond: "I had no damn idea you could sing." But his efforts to restore ties with South Korea's former colonial ruler, Japan, did not sit well with many at home. Yoon has been a lame duck president since the opposition Democratic Party won a majority in parliamentary elections this year. They recently slashed Yoon's budget. In his Tuesday night televised address to the nation, Yoon railed against "anti-state elements plundering people's freedom and happiness" and his office has subsequently cast his imposition of martial law as a bid to break through legislative gridlock. But to use his political difficulties as justification for imposing martial law for the first time in South Korea since the 1980s is absurd, an analyst said. "Yoon invoked Article 77 of the South Korean constitution, which allows for proclaiming martial law but is reserved for 'time of war, armed conflict or similar national emergency', none of which appears evident," Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told AFP. "Yoon's action is a damning reversal to decades of South Korean efforts to put its authoritarian past behind it," he said. burs-stu/ceb/mtp
A woman has been airlifted to hospital after a fiery crash early on Wednesday, December 11. or signup to continue reading Emergency services were called to Borough Road, Raywood about 6.40am, where a car had struck a tree. Firefighters from Woodvale and Raywood arrived to find the car fully on fire following the crash. Ambulance Victoria confirmed a woman in her 20s was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious injuries to her upper and lower body. The incident was declared under control at about 7am, with the road reopened before 8am. Jonathon has been living and working in Bendigo since March 2021, currently working as a general reporter. Contact him on jonathon.magrath@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Jonathon has been living and working in Bendigo since March 2021, currently working as a general reporter. Contact him on jonathon.magrath@austcommunitymedia.com.au. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO) Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Listing Requirements
5 gift suggestions for the outdoors enthusiast on your listTrump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be differentGaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the Senate WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation. The Florida Republican made the announcement Thursday. Gaetz’s withdrawal is a blow to Trump’s push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that Trump could face resistance from members of his own party. Trump said in a social media post that Gaetz “did not want to be a distraction for the Administration.” Gaetz said “it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work" of the transition team. He added, “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.