Friday, November 29
The Supreme Court said Friday it will decide whether former President Donald Trump can be kept off the ballot because of his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, inserting the court squarely in the 2024 presidential campaign. The justices acknowledged the need to reach a decision quickly, as voters will soon begin casting presidential primary ballots across the country. The court agreed to take up Trump's appeal of a case from Colorado stemming from his role in the events that culminated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
The Pakistan government will approach a British media outlet over the publication of a scathing write-up by jailed former premier Imran Khan. The government questions the outlet's editorial judgement and the credibility of the content. Imran Khan's write-up, titled 'Imran Khan warns that Pakistan elections could be a farce', raises doubts about the scheduled February 8 polls in Pakistan and reiterates his allegations of engineered removal from power and lack of a level playing field.
Pakistan's Senate passed a resolution on Friday seeking a delay in the upcoming polls scheduled for February 8 due to security concerns, harsh weather, and threats to the lives of prominent politicians. The resolution emphasized the need to address legitimate concerns, facilitate election campaigns, and guarantee the safety of politicians and citizens. It called for the effective participation of people from all areas of Pakistan and belonging to all political shades. The resolution was moved by Independent senator Dilawar Khan, with support from intelligence agencies warning of terrorist attacks on election rallies.
It was the largest building of classical Greece: the palace where Alexander the Great was proclaimed king before he launched a conquest that took him as far as modern-day Afghanistan. The Palace of Aigai in northern Greece was fully reopened Friday following a 16-year renovation that cost more than 20 million euros ($22 million) and included financial support from the European Union. It was built more than 2,300 years ago during the reign of Alexander's father, Phillip II.
Myanmar military govt acknowledges withdrawal from Laukkaing, a key city on the northeastern border with China, taken over by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, an alliance of ethnic armed groups. Photos & videos on social media show captured weapons. The alliance consists of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Ta'ang National Liberation Army, & Arakan Army. Laukkaing is the capital of the Kokang in northern Shan state. The military considered safety & Myanmar's relationship with China.
The Great Wall of China, facing erosion and natural degradation, finds an unexpected protector in the form of biocrusts. These 'living skins' made up of plants and microorganisms cover 67% of the surveyed sections of the Great Wall, enhancing its mechanical stability and reducing its erodibility. Biocrust-covered sections have decreased porosity, water-holding capacity, erodibility, and salinity, while increasing compressive strength, penetration resistance, shear strength, and aggregate stability. With only 5.8% of the Great Wall well preserved, the role of biocrusts in protecting this heritage site is crucial. Biocrusts are made up of cyanobacteria, algae, moss, fungi, and lichen.
Newly released court documents disclose a second list of names associated with the Jeffrey Epstein case. The records are part of a lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, one of the victims, against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend and chief recruiter. Among the newly released documents, Giuffre claims that Bill Clinton intervened at Vanity Fair to stop publications about Epstein, although there is no evidence supporting this. The documents also reveal Epstein's alleged influence on media reporting and provide more details about his extensive network, including names like Donald Trump and Prince Andrew.
An accountability court in Rawalpindi deferred the indictment of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana reference. The court judge put off framing charges against the PTI founder and his wife as the NAB prosecutor requested more time to advance their arguments. A special prosecution team of the anti-graft watchdog is pursuing the case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The court set a new date for framing charges against them in the case.
The unsealed documents from the Jeffrey Epstein saga offered fresh insight into the financier’s lifestyle and the people surrounding him. Epstein victim Johanna Sjoberg recounted meeting magician David Copperfield, pop star Michael Jackson, and Prince Andrew at Epstein's Florida home. Sjoberg also claimed that Prince Andrew put his hand on her breast during a photograph at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. The documents provide more context to former President Bill Clinton's ties to Epstein, with Epstein's victim Virginia Giuffre mentioning having dinner with Clinton at Epstein's villa. Sjoberg also claimed that Epstein name-dropped Donald Trump often.
Islamic State claims responsibility for explosions at an Iranian memorial for Qassem Soleimani, using explosive belts in the southeastern city of Kerman. The attack, marking the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death, killed nearly 100 people and wounded hundreds. Iran vows revenge for the bloodiest attack since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Revolutionary Guard Corps calls the attack a cowardly act. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemns the heinous crime, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei promises revenge. The United Nations Security Council condemns the terrorist attack.
