Eileen O’Neill Burke, the newly sworn-in Cook County state’s attorney, has announced new policies focused on pretrial detention for violent offenses and stricter thresholds for retail theft. Burke’s approach marks a shift in priorities following the tenure of her predecessor, Kim Foxx.
Texas state Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) announced on Friday that he will not seek reelection as Speaker of the Texas House. Phelan’s decision comes after claiming last month that he had enough support to defeat both Republican and Democratic challengers.
Republican senators are demanding that negotiators remove a provision in the annual defense bill that requires women to register for the Selective Service System.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) increased its military presence along the Syrian border in the Golan Heights on Friday in response to rapid advances by Syrian rebels against the Assad regime. The move comes as rebel forces, including Islamist factions, capture key cities like Aleppo and Hama, forcing regime troops to retreat.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government on Friday, accusing its anti-Israel policies of fostering antisemitism after an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue. The Adass Israel synagogue was firebombed during morning prayers, injuring one and causing extensive damage. Worshippers inside reported masked assailants throwing incendiary devices through the windows.
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski called for Russia’s suspension from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) during a meeting in Malta on Thursday, accusing Moscow of attempting to rebuild its empire. Sikorski led a walkout of European delegations in protest against Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s presence.
South Korean opposition lawmakers announced plans to vote on impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol this Saturday. Yoon is under police investigation for treason after declaring a brief martial law on Tuesday.
Brown University has officially transferred a portion of its property in Rhode Island to the Pokanoket Indian Tribe, marking the culmination of years of negotiation. The university relinquished approximately 255 acres of land in Bristol, known for its historical and cultural significance to Native American communities, including the Pokanoket Tribe. The land transfer, announced on November 15, was part of an agreement dating back to 2017 after members of the tribe set up a month-long encampment on the property.
China announced Tuesday a ban on exporting certain minerals and metals to the U.S., escalating the ongoing trade and tech war. The targeted materials—germanium, gallium, antimony, and superhard substances—are vital for manufacturing semiconductors, batteries, and military hardware.
