Trump faces headwinds in 2023 White House race
Donald Trump started 2022 on a high note. But the former president faced a very different reality when he ran for the White House again a year later. He is embroiled in a criminal investigation that could end in indictment. He has been blamed for the Republican Party’s disappointing performance in November’s elections. In the six weeks since he announced his presidency, the crisis has been of his own making. Trump has not held a single campaign event, and he has barely left his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. His November campaign announcement did little to deter the challenger. In fact, potential rivals in 2024 seem more emboldened. And now, even former Trump staunch supporters are wondering if Trump is serious about another campaign.
Senior GOP lawmaker says Santos should consider resigning
Even as the House GOP leadership keeps silent, a veteran Republican lawmaker says George Santos should consider resigning after the congressman-elect from New York admitted to lying about his heritage, education and professional career. Ven Brady told “Fox News Sunday” that Santos will have to “take some big steps” to regain the trust and respect of his district. Santos is due to be sworn in in the new Congress on Tuesday. Brady said Santos’ repeated lying was “disturbing in so many ways,” but ultimately whether he steps down will depend on Santos and the voters in his district.
Evacuation warnings amid flooding after California storm
Evacuation advisories were issued for rural Northern California on New Year’s Day after powerful storms brought downpours of rain or snow to much of the state, breaching levees, blocking traffic and closing major highways. Severe flooding in agricultural areas south of Sacramento sent rivers swollen and flooded dozens of vehicles along State Route 99. Residents of one low-lying neighborhood were ordered to leave, and others were told to prepare to move away from rising water before the road was cut. The Sierra saw more than 4 feet of snow. It’s the first of several storms expected to sweep across California within a week.
Department of Education records record number of discrimination complaints
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights has recorded a record number of discrimination complaints over the past year, an indication of how social and political conflict plays out in American schools. The department said it received nearly 19,000 complaints in the last fiscal year (October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022), more than double the previous year’s record of 16,000 in fiscal 2016 . The complaints — most alleging discrimination based on disability, race or sex — reflect grievances that have built up during the worst public health crisis in a century and the most divisive civil rights climate in decades, officials said.
Russian airstrikes leave Ukrainians no choice but to endure
Tired of huddling in hallways and bathrooms for safety during a Russian airstrike, residents of one Kyiv neighborhood took a different approach in the first moments of New Year’s Day. Despite the risks, dozens of people in a high-rise apartment complex stepped out of their balconies and sang the Ukrainian national anthem just after midnight. A little out of tune and boisterous, with some voices sounding like they were drunk, they recorded themselves on video as a swarm of exploding drones buzzed over the capital, following the early missile strikes on New Year’s Eve, Killed at least one person and injured more than 20.
Brazil’s Lula sworn in, vows accountability and reconstruction
Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been sworn in as president in the capital, Brasilia, in a bid to frustrate outgoing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro Jair Bolsonaro is in office for the third time since his re-election campaign. Lula was president from 2003 to 2010, and his return to power marks the culmination of a political comeback that is sure to inflame supporters and outrage opponents in a deeply polarized country. His presidency is unlikely to resemble his previous two terms, after Brazil endured its tightest presidential campaign in more than 30 years and some of his opponents were opposed to his inauguration. The left defeated far-right Bolsonaro by less than 2 percentage points in the Oct. 30 vote.
Macau eases COVID rules, but tourism, casinos yet to rebound
Gambling paradise Macau has eased border restrictions after China scrapped its “Zero COVID” strategy, which is widely expected to boost its tourism-oriented economy. For nearly three years, the gaming hub on China’s south coast, near Hong Kong, has undergone some of the world’s strictest anti-virus controls. Now, China’s worst wave of infections to date is holding back the high rollers that normally pack casinos. From Dec. 23 to 27, the city averaged just 8,300 arrivals per day, according to police data. That’s just 68% of November’s level. Many shops remain closed, but businesses are hoping for good luck with the Lunar New Year holiday in late January.
via wired source