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AP interview: Yellen says debt standoff could spell ‘catastrophe’
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in an interview with The Associated Press that she expects Congress to eventually vote to raise the U.S. debt ceiling. But she said House Republicans’ demand for spending cuts in exchange for support for more spending was “very irresponsible” and risked “self-inflicted disaster” on the global economy. Yellen said she has not spoken to Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy about the issue. McCarthy himself did not detail the spending cuts he said would be needed to put the U.S. government on a more sustainable fiscal path. The Associated Press interview was conducted during Yellen’s trip to Africa.
Top Biden aide Ron Klein expected to leave White House soon
White House Chief of Staff Ron Klein is preparing to leave his post in the coming weeks. The word comes from an unnamed person familiar with Kline’s plans. Klein is expected to leave shortly after the White House and Democrats performed better than expected in November’s elections. But now that Republicans have regained their House majority, the White House is preparing to shift to a more defensive stance. Republican lawmakers are planning multiple investigations into the Biden administration. The White House did not respond to calls or emails seeking comment on Klein’s expected departure.
Violent protests in downtown Atlanta over killing of activist
ATLANTA — Protests in downtown Atlanta turned violent after an environmental activist was killed by authorities. The 26-year-old shot and wounded a state trooper, officials said. Masked activists dressed in all black threw rocks and set off fireworks in front of a skyscraper that houses the Atlanta Police Foundation on Saturday night. They set a police patrol car on fire and vandalized other buildings with anti-police graffiti. Authorities said they arrested six people and stopped the violence. The activist, known as Tortuguita, was killed Wednesday when authorities dispersed protesters from the site of a planned public safety training center. Authorities said the soldier fired in self-defense, but activists dispute that claim.
Pakistan strengthens anti-blasphemy laws
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which already meant the death penalty for those deemed to have insulted Islam or the Prophet Muhammad, could now be used to punish anyone convicted of insulting someone associated with him. Those convicted of insulting the Prophet Muhammad’s wife, companions or close relatives now face at least 10 years in prison and a fine of 1 million rupees (about $4,500). It also makes the blasphemy charge an offense where no bail is possible. Tougher blasphemy laws are often used to settle personal grievances or persecute minorities, raising concerns among activists about increased persecution, especially of religious minorities.
Canada files $2 billion lawsuit over ‘cultural genocide’ at boarding schools
Canada said Saturday it had agreed to pay C$2.8 billion (about $2 billion) to settle the latest in a series of lawsuits seeking compensation for harm done to indigenous people through mandatory residential schools, the national board said It’s called “cultural genocide.” The new settlement, which must be approved by the court, resolves a class action lawsuit filed in 2012 by 325 First Nations seeking compensation for the erosion of their culture and language. From the 1800s to the 1990s, thousands of Aboriginal students educated in some 130 boarding schools were forbidden to speak their ancestral languages ​​and were sometimes brought to school by force.
Germany’s wariness over Ukrainian weapons is rooted in political culture
In the 11 months since Russia invaded Ukraine, Germany has emerged as one of Ukraine’s main arms suppliers, but Chancellor Olaf Schulz has also become notorious for hesitating to take every new step — a move that has left the ally caused impatience. Berliners see the delays, most recently on Kyiv’s long-sought Leopard 2 tanks, as rooted at least in part in a post-World War II political culture of military caution and today’s fears of a possible escalation of the war. Germany is increasingly distanced from its decision to deliver tanks close, but not yet committed. The pattern repeated itself for months, as Scholz delayed committing to heavier equipment, then finally agreed to do so.
Brazil army chief sacked after uprising in capital
Brazil’s president fired the army chief after leftist leaders said some members of the military had allowed far-right protesters to stage an uprising in the capital on Jan. 8. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sacked General Julio Cesar de Arruda as army commander, the official website of Brazil’s armed forces said Saturday. He was replaced by General Tomas Miguel Ribeiro Paiva, commander of the Southeastern Military Command. Lula has repeatedly said publicly that someone in the army must have allowed supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro to storm government buildings and destroy public property in Brasilia on January 8.
from a wired source
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