This week, Lisa and David talk about the continuing resolution to keep the federal government operating; Supreme Court declined to hear appeal from Peter Navarro; A New York judge says Trump cannot use presidential immunity to overturn his felony conviction; OpenAI Whistleblower dies at 26 in apparent suicide; FAA bans drone flights over New Jersey; Josh Hawley pushes increase to child tax credit; Nima Momeni convicted in the 2023 fatal stabbing of Cash App founder; Trump bristles at Musk’s rise as Democrats exploit his vanity; Marjorie Taylor Greene throws Donald Trump's Social Security pledge on the floor; Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to TikTok ban; Judge permits tissue testing in George Floyd case as Chauvin seeks new trial; Trump revives pattern of outlandish social media posts, calls to buy Greenland again after eyeing Canada and Panama Canal; charter school curriculum will be taught by AI instead of human teachers; Germany government collapse; German Christmas market attack, suspect renounced Islam, backed far-right AfD; research finds mothers handle 71% of household mental load; Wordpress infighting; and more.
Notes on the Panama Canal:
On December 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump made a controversial statement suggesting that his new administration could attempt to regain control of the Panama Canal. This declaration has sparked significant debate and criticism, particularly from Panama's president, who firmly rejected the notion as an affront to his country's sovereignty.
The Panama Canal has a complex history of U.S. involvement:
Early 20th Century: The United States acquired rights to build and operate the canal through the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty in 1903.
Construction and Control: The U.S. completed the canal's construction in 1914 and maintained control over the Panama Canal Zone for decades.
Torrijos-Carter Treaties: In 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed treaties agreeing to transfer control of the canal to Panama.
Transfer of Control: On December 31, 1999, the United States fully relinquished control of the canal to Panama, as stipulated in the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.
It's important to note that Trump did not explain how such a takeover would be possible, given that the U.S. relinquished control of the canal to Panama in 1999 under internationally recognized treaties. It remains to be seen how this will impact U.S.-Panama relations and international diplomacy.
Links:
Continuing Resolutions (Peter G. Peterson Foundation)
Supreme Court declines appeal from Peter Navarro (AP)
OpenAI whistleblower has died (NPR)
Hawley pitches massive increase to child tax credit (The Hill)
The Supreme Court should ban TikTok. It's a national security threat. (USA Today - Opinion)
How the US Supreme Court and Trump could stop a TikTok ban (New Scientist)
Charter school is replacing teachers with AI (Popular Science)
What we know about the suspect behind the German Christmas market attack (AP)
Magdeburg attack offers far right fertile ground despite suspect's backing for AfD (BBC)
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