Belarus opposition leader says she gave sanctions list to Biden administration
CNN
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said she gave the Biden administration a specific list of targets she would like to see sanctioned as she pushed for the United States and international community to ratchet up pressure on the Lukashenko regime.
Tsikhanouskaya, who is in Washington for meetings with senior administration officials, told reporters Tuesday that she delivered a list of companies that are monopolized by the regime of Belarus' strongman President Alexander Luakshenko "and his cronies," including Belaruskali potash as well as oil, wood and steel enterprises. The Belarusian opposition politician called on the administration to enact stronger sanctions, saying that the she believed the initial tranches were more symbolic and "moral sanctions" -- "they didn't hit the regime and I think that we really lost time," she said. Tsikhanouskaya said that the sectoral sanctions imposed by the European Union following Lukashenko's forced diversion of a Ryanair flight were strong, and said the US could follow that policy "and also look at possibility to impose sectoral sanctions on Russia."
Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the intelligence community, was briefly placed on a Transportation Security Administration list that prompts additional security screening before flights after her overseas travel patterns and foreign connections triggered a government algorithm earlier this year, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to wade into a fight over Congress’ ability to delegate power to federal agencies — opening the next chapter in a decadeslong effort by conservatives and business interests to reduce the power of the federal government.
At least three professional sports leagues warned their teams this week that organized and skilled groups are targeting the homes of athletes for break-ins, including while the players are away at games. The warnings came after reports of burglaries at the homes of players in the NBA and the NFL.
The Nicaraguan parliament, dominated by the ruling Sandinista Front, on Friday approved a constitutional reform that hands more power to President Daniel Ortega as well as the Central American nation’s police and military.
A Norwegian man working as a security guard for the US Embassy in Oslo was arrested this week on allegations of spying for Russia and Iran.
Gorilla at Calgary Zoo died after worker mistakenly activated wrong door, zoo officials say
President-elect Donald Trump is expected to offer Kelly Loeffler the job as of secretary of the Department of Agriculture, two people familiar with the matter told CNN.
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general on Thursday, said Friday he will not be returning to Congress next year.
Republican Dave McCormick will defeat Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, CNN projects, boosting the GOP majority in the Senate next year.
The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial has adjourned his sentencing which was set for next week.
In the aftermath of the 2024 elections, Democrats are less optimistic about their party’s future than they’ve been at any point in the past eight years, according to new Pew Research Center polling released Friday.