By admin 
by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Sunday, December 15.
- From the US to Uganda, how climate activism has been criminalised in 2024 (How about criminalize destroying the planet?)
- TikTok’s annual carbon footprint is likely bigger than Greece’s, study finds (“Average user generates greenhouse gases equal to driving an extra 123 miles in gasoline-powered car a year, data shows”)
- Brush With Russia in Baltic Points to New Flashpoint in NATO-Moscow Shadow War
- Ukraine war briefing: North Korean troops join Russian assaults in ‘significant’ numbers, Kyiv says
- Why the Franco-German engine that powered the EU is now almost kaput (“As they confront a marauding Trump, trade tensions with China and their own upheavals, the bloc’s two biggest countries are at a crossroads”)
- Exclusive: Russia pulling back but not out of Syria, sources say
- Syria After Assad (“The scramble is on to define the future of Syria, quickly, to avert a war even more divisive than the conflict that has riven the nation for thirteen years.”)
- Scoop: Israel and Jordan held secret talks on Syria
- One week into a new Syria, rebels aim for normalcy and Syrians vow not to be silent again (“A transformation has started to take place in the week since the unexpected overthrow of Syria’s President Bashar Assad.”)
- The Hunt for the Assad Dynasty’s Missing Billions (“The family stashed away its wealth over half a century of despotic rule. Human-rights lawyers are leading nascent efforts to find the assets—and recover them for the Syrian people.”)
- Assad is gone. Will Syrian refugees go home? (“The big decision facing millions of Syrian refugees, explained.”)
- US officials in ‘direct contact’ with victorious Syria rebels
- Why Israel captured Syria’s tallest mountain just hours after Assad fell (“Mount Hermon’s summit is a tremendous asset under Israel’s control. At 9,232 feet (2,814 meters), it is higher than any point in Syria or Israel, and second to only one peak in Lebanon.”)
- Israel launches dozens of airstrikes on Syria despite rebel leader’s peace pledge (“Strikes follow statement by Israel’s defence minister that troops would remain on Mount Hermon for winter”)
- With Iran’s guard down, the U.S. and Israel face an urgent choice
- South Korea’s acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- After Impeachment, South Korea Is Left With No Elected Leader
- South Korea’s president reportedly defies summons in martial law inquiry (Lock him up.)
- Biggest losers from Coalition’s nuclear plan will be Australia’s 4 million solar households, industry says
- CEOs Want Trump to Change Course on Tariffs. He Isn’t Budging.
- Economic fallout from Trump mass deportations could eclipse Great Recession: Report
- Trump’s tariffs threat is dividing business owners across the country
- Automakers Thrived in the Pandemic. Many Are Now Struggling. (“Changing technology, political turmoil and competition from China are cutting into profits and forcing carmakers to cut jobs and close factories.”)
- How the Renewable Energy Boom Is Remaking the American West (“In Nevada, plans are moving ahead for transmission lines, solar farms, geothermal plants and more in the name of fighting climate change. Yet even among environmental groups and government officials, the projects are controversial.”)
- Trump plan to end birthright citizenship is more conceivable in second term (“Given the conservative majority on the supreme court, it’s not a certainty that the right will remain in place”)
- Trump eyes privatizing U.S. Postal Service, citing financial losses (The Post Office is in the US constitution, not that Trump cares. Also, this will be totally corrupt.)
- Big donors secure big roles in the incoming Trump administration (Speaking of corrupt.)
- CEOs wanted Biden’s top business regulator gone. They’re about to get their wish (Yet another example of corruption on a huge scale.)
- ABC agrees to give $15 million to Donald Trump’s presidential library to settle defamation lawsuit (ABC “News” surrenders in advance. Disgraceful.)
- Trump’s ABC Settlement Forces Stephanopoulos to Bend the Knee and Apologize
- Biden touts his legacy, but frustration seeps through (“The president is observing the traditions of a peaceful transfer of power, but his regrets and misgivings are evident.”)
- New top US Senate Republican John Thune faces test as Trump returns
- How GOP Senators Are Secretly Getting Ready to Surrender to Trump
- MAGA Misfits vs. Nationalists vs. Reaganites vs. Dorks (“The battle of the Trump transition”)
- Trump taps Truth Social CEO Nunes to lead intelligence board (“U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday named ally Devin Nunes, a former U.S. lawmaker who now runs Trump’s Truth Social social media platform, to serve as chairman of President’s Intelligence Advisory Board.” This administration is going to be HORRIBLE beyond imagination.)
- Trump picks Nunes for intelligence advisory board, Grenell as special envoy
- Inside Democrats’ emerging Trump inauguration boycott
- Trump wants his daughter-in-law in the Senate. DeSantis may defy him.
- Daniel Penny is guest of Trump and Vance at football game (Ugh.)
- JD Vance Invites Daniel Penny, The Man Who Killed Jordan Neely On A NYC Subway, To The Army-Navy Football Game
- Good riddance to Washington’s real power duo (Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema)
- Pelosi underwent hip surgery after ‘hard fall’ in Luxembourg
- Judge revokes decision to retire, foiling Trump’s replacement plans (“James Wynn takes rare step after two trial court judges do the same, prompting conservative complaints”)
- The D.C. Council should expel Trayon White
- Schapiro: Va.’s fearlessly fact-challenged governor (Unfortunately, there appear to be no consequences for Youngkin and his ilk being pathological liars.)
- SD10 Republicans Nominate “YakAttack” Founder Luther Cifers, Who Believes “life begins at conception. No exceptions.” to Replace John McGuire in the VA State Senate. (“On his website, Cifers has a bunch of falsehoods and hard-right statements.”)
- Youngkin raises concerns about drone sightings in Virginia
- Editorial: Youngkin’s focus on behavioral health delivers needed progress
- Solar farms, data centers, carbon emissions to dominate environmental talks in Richmond
- New Virginia environmental science standards not ‘quite meeting the bar’
- Trump has vowed major changes to climate policy. What does that mean for Norfolk’s floodwall project? (“Experts downplayed the effects of the Trump administration on the $2.9 billion project, despite campaign pledges to undo climate efforts.”)
- UVa, Israeli student settle lawsuit over ‘virulent antisemitism’ on Grounds
- Julius D. “JD” Spain, Sr. Sworn into the Arlington County Board
- D.C. area forecast and updates: Light rain this afternoon. Touch of wintry mix north and west?
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