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Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema turns independent
Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona said she had changed her registration to independent. But the first-term senator also said she does not plan to caucus with Republicans, which would ensure Democrats maintain their slim majority in the Senate. Sinema has at times frustrated her Democratic colleagues by courting Republicans and opposing party priorities. She told The Associated Press on Friday that it wouldn’t change much, but “further affirmation” of a style of getting the job done “across all political lines.”
Ex-cop who kneeled on George Floyd’s back gets 3.5 years
A former Minneapolis police officer who held George Floyd’s colleague on his back as he knelt on the neck of a black man has been sentenced to 3.5 years in prison. J. Alexander Kueng pleaded guilty in October to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. He is already serving a federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights, and the state and federal sentences will be served concurrently. Kueng appeared at his sentencing via a video feed from a federal prison in Ohio. When offered the opportunity to speak in court, he declined.
Trump lawyer appears in court for sealed hearing in Mar-a-Lago case
Lawyers for Donald Trump are arguing in secret in federal court in Washington as part of an ongoing investigation into the existence of classified information at the former president’s Florida estate. The proceedings are before Chief Judge U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in the District of Columbia federal court. Defense attorneys were seen entering the courtroom around 2 p.m. and leaving more than an hour later. A lawyer for The Associated Press and other news organizations filed a letter earlier Friday asking the media to attend the hearing, but the lawyers nonetheless spoke behind closed doors.
Finance minister says helping Ukraine is ‘self-preservation’
Ukraine’s finance minister said crucial Western financial aid was “not a handout” but “self-preservation” as donor countries shared the cost of stopping Russian aggression. Serhiy Marchenko told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that his country is protecting freedom and democracy far beyond its borders. He said he was confident EU officials would resolve their dispute with Hungary, which holds 18 billion euros in loans and will make up a significant portion of Ukraine’s looming budget shortfall. External financing is needed to avoid central banks printing money to cover basic needs like pensions, a practice that risks fueling already painful inflation.
Peru’s new president shows up with army to consolidate power
Peru’s first female president appeared on state television on Friday at a military ceremony, her first official event as head of state, aimed at consolidating her power and reversing a national trend of early presidential departures. However, some politicians are already calling for early elections, suggesting that political rancor continues. Dina Boluarte, who angered many on Wednesday by trying to dissolve the legislature ahead of an impeachment vote, was elevated from the vice presidency to replace ousted leftist Pedro Castillo (Pedro Castillo) became the country’s leader. She said she should be allowed to hold the post for the remaining 3 1/2 years of his term.
Macron says France will give free condoms to anyone under 25
France will give free condoms to anyone under the age of 25 in the new year, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday. The move comes as the government says sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise among young people and as unusual inflation this year has cut budgets especially hard for France’s poorest. Birth control is already free in France for girls and women aged 25 and under, as part of the government’s efforts to ensure young people of all incomes are protected from unwanted pregnancies. However, existing measures do not apply to men, or specifically address visits from transgender or nonbinary people.
China battles COVID infections as controls ease
Social media users have reported high numbers of COVID-19 cases in schools and businesses across China after the ruling Communist Party eased anti-virus rules as it tried to reverse a deepening recession. While official figures show a decline in new cases, they no longer cover much of the population after a decision this week to end mandatory testing of many people. It is part of a sweeping change aimed at phasing away from “zero COVID” restrictions that have sparked protests and calls for President Xi Jinping’s resignation. Social media users in Beijing and other cities said colleagues or classmates fell ill and some businesses closed due to lack of staff.
via wired source
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