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President Joe Biden ’s decision to commute the death sentences of 37 federal inmates has sparked an uproar in the legal and political worlds, with critics calling the move a blatant overreach of executive power. The action, taken in Biden’s final days in office, converted the sentences of those on federal death row to life imprisonment without parole, leaving only three inmates awaiting federal execution. Former federal prosecutor Andy McCarthy criticized the decision as a misuse of presidential authority, arguing it bypassed congressional intent. “I think it’s yet another abuse of the pardon power,” McCarthy told Fox News on Monday. “He wiped the slate clean on everyone else, and he did it in a way that is a categorical change of the law that’s for Congress to make.” Legal experts slam move as inconsistent and contrary to popular positions McCarthy also noted the apparent inconsistency in Biden’s approach, pointing out that the president did not spare the sentences of high-profile death row inmates such as Dylann Roof, convicted of the racist massacre of nine black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina; Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev; and Pittsburgh synagogue shooter Robert Bowers. “Last week, the Biden Justice Department filed death charges against somebody ... who I don't think is even a terrorism case, it's a grisly murder,” McCarthy said of the UnitedHealthCare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione, highlighting the inconsistencies for Biden's own classifications for terroristic acts. “Now today, he’s wiping the slate clean on death penalty charges brought by other administrations. But not in cases where he and his Justice Department actually had to deal with the victims and obviously the families of the victims of these brutal homicides," McCarthy added. Civil rights attorney Leo Terrell was even more scathing, describing the decision as a “slap in the face” to victims’ families. “Children were murdered, a naval officer was murdered — these are the worst of the worst,” Terrell said. “Joe Biden, who is mentally unfit to stand trial for himself, is not making these decisions. This is the social progressive left dictating policy as Biden burns down the house in his last 30 days in office.” Terrell emphasized that the decision contradicted public sentiment. “52 to 53% of Americans support the death penalty,” he said. “These murderers received justice through trials and a death penalty phase. Biden’s actions erase that.” Biden, who kicked off his last-ditch acts of grace by pardoning his own son Hunter Biden on Dec. 1 , defended his decision in a statement, acknowledging the heinous crimes but emphasizing the need for systemic change. “Make no mistake, I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden said in a statement. Mixed public reactions spotlight the death penalty divide Victims’ families expressed a mix of reactions, according to the Associated Press. Heather Turner, whose mother was killed during a 2017 bank robbery, called the move a “gross abuse of power,” accusing Biden of disregarding the victims. Others, like retired police officer Donnie Oliverio, said the commutations reflected Biden’s faith and moral conviction. Supporters of Biden’s decision, including advocacy groups like the ACLU, argue that it highlights the flaws of capital punishment and advances criminal justice reform. Across the pond, major religious figures like Pope Francis recently prayed that the sentences of death row prisoners in the United States “be commuted or changed." But critics in Congress, including Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, see it as another example of Democrats favoring “depraved criminals over their victims, public order, and common decency.” For many, the debate underscores the deep divisions in the U.S. legal system and the enduring controversy surrounding the death penalty. Biden adds complexity to Trump's capital punishment plans The commutations have fueled a political firestorm as President-elect Donald Trump, an advocate for expanding capital punishment, prepares to take office again. Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, called the decision “a slap in the face to the victims, their families, and their loved ones.” Biden's decision is likely to pose at least an optical hurdle for Trump as he aims to ramp up capital punishment over his next four years in office. Unlike his ability to reverse his predecessor's executive orders, commuted death sentences cannot be reapplied by a future president. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is nearing the release of its long-awaited review of the lethal injection protocol introduced by the Trump administration in 2019. This protocol employs a single sedative, pentobarbital, for executions, a method adopted amid shortages of other drugs traditionally used. Critics and death penalty opponents argue that pentobarbital can inflict severe pain during a prisoner’s final moments. Activists suggest the DOJ’s findings could strengthen calls for clemency. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Additionally, the Supreme Court is weighing a high-profile case surrounding a longtime Oklahoma inmate, Richard Glossip , who is slated for capital punishment. Glossip has argued, and even gained support from state Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R), for the justices to consider whether he was falsely accused of murder in the 1990s. A decision in the Glossip case is expected before the end of June.A 21-year-old man was found dead at Nanyang Technological University's Tanjong Hall. The police received a call for assistance at 64 Nanyang Crescent on Dec 3, at about 7.45am. The man was found lying motionless and was pronounced dead by a Singapore Civil Defence Force paramedic. No foul play is suspected. Helplines Mental well-being Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24-hour CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) Counselling Innovating out of empathy, with a vision for the blind Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Online resources mindline.sg eC2.sg tinklefriend.sg chat.mentalhealth.sg carey.carecorner.org.sg (for age 13 to 25) limitless.sg/talk (for age 12 to 25)
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins’ playoff hopes are not in their hands, but they did their part with a gritty win over San Francisco on Sunday. Coach Mike McDaniel knows that’s not enough, and his team will need to do it two more times to even have a shot at making the postseason for the third straight year. “I was just proud of this effort and proud of the guys’ effort in general,” McDaniel said. “And that gives you a chance to win December football. Regardless, unless you’re playing in February, you also have to get adept at experiencing that, going through that, having some momentum and then going back and applying it to the next opponent, because no one cares about one win in December or January realistically. It’s about accumulating those.” Miami (7-8) is on the bubble for a wild-card spot along with Indianapolis (7-8) and Cincinnati (7-8). Even if the Dolphins win their remaining two games, they’ll need help from other teams to get in. In one scenario, Miami would make the playoffs with two wins and two losses each by Denver (9-6) and the Los Angeles Chargers (9-6). “This team, we know when we do it well, we can do it very well,” defensive tackle Calais Campbell said. “We know that our chances are slim, but there’s a lot of fight left. And if we have a chance, we’re going to fight for it.” Miami closed out Sunday’s game with a strong fourth quarter in all three phases. The offense converted on all three of its third-down attempts. Running back De’Von Achane had 93 of his 190 scrimmage yards in the quarter, including a 50-yard rushing score that put the game out of reach. Jason Sanders nailed a 48-yard field goal just before the two-minute warning. And the defense intercepted Brock Purdy on one of the Niners’ last-ditch efforts. “I think that was something that we needed to see as a team together,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. “You could see in all three phases that we were able to play the complementary football that we said we wanted to play. The defense giving the offense opportunities to go put points on the board. Then when there were times where we didn’t do what we wanted to do offensively, the defense held.” With both of the Dolphins’ final games on the road, they’ll need to play better than they have in away games for much of the season. Miami is 5-3 at home, its fifth straight home winning record, but the Dolphins are 2-5 on the road. McDaniel expressed confidence that those home efforts can travel in this final stretch. “When you’re trying to play football so that in the inevitable situation that you face every season,” McDaniel said, “an elimination game, whether it’s to get in the playoffs or it’s in the playoffs, you want to be tooled with a team that can succeed or execute in those types of situations.” What’s working Miami’s run game finally got going with 166 yards. It was the Dolphins’ first time topping 100 yards rushing since Week 9. Achane led the charge with 120 yards. His 50-yard rushing score was Miami’s longest run this season. What needs help The Dolphins moved the ball well but scored touchdowns on just one of three trips to the red zone. Stock up Sanders. He was 5 for 5 on field goals with a long of 54 yards, and 2 for 2 on extra points. Sanders has made 23 consecutive field goals and is 11 of 13 on kicks of 50-plus yards. He’s one of two kickers, alongside Dallas’ Brandon Aubrey, who have made a field goal in every game this season. Stock down WR Tyreek Hill. The All-Pro receiver caught just 3 of 7 targets for 29 yards and a touchdown. He had a third-down drop on the Dolphins’ opening drive and dropped a potential touchdown later in the game. The NFL’s receiving leader last year is averaging just 55.6 yards per game and has only two 100-plus yard receiving games this season. Injuries WR Jaylen Waddle missed the game because of a knee injury. ... CB Kendall Fuller (knee) and LB Jordyn Brookes (quad/knee) both went down late in the second half. Key numbers 76 receptions, 802 yards — Both single-season Dolphins records for a tight end, which Jonnu Smith broke with six catches for 62 yards on Sunday. Next step The Dolphins will continue their efforts to sneak into the playoffs when they play at Cleveland (3-12) on Sunday. They’ll need to beat the Browns and the New York Jets (4-11) in their regular-season finale to give themselves a chance. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLIsrael PM's shock blame for Aussie synagogue attack
Ghana voted in a presidential and parliamentary election Saturday amid hopes for an economic revival after the worst financial crisis in a generation that led to a major debt default in the West African nation. President Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down next month after serving the two terms allowed by the constitution in Ghana, the world's second-largest cocoa producer and a significant gold miner. Twelve candidates are vying to succeed him, but the race is seen as primarily between Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, chosen successor of Akufo-Addo's New Patriotic Party (NPP), and former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Opinion polls tipped Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2016, for a potential comeback. Mahama, 66, has framed Bawumia as representing a continuation of policies that led to Ghana's economic woes, and has promised to renegotiate terms of a $3 billion IMF bailout secured last year to restructure the country's debts. The crisis peaked in 2022 when Ghana turned to the International Monetary Fund. "This is the only election that we can all see the direction of the outcome before we start voting," Mahama said after casting his vote in Bole, his hometown in northern Ghana. "We are hopeful and confident that we'll win," he added. Bawumia, a 61-year-old former central banker, also expressed confidence that he would win after he voted in his Walewale constituency in northern Ghana. "By the grace of God, I'm very hopeful of winning this election. I think that we have done a lot of work. We have put our message to the people, I think the message has been well received," he said. On the campaign trail, Bawumia has highlighted Ghana's gradual recovery from the crisis, with economic growth surging by 6.9% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024, the fastest rate in five years. He told supporters he will foster policies that will strengthen Ghana's recovery. Both candidates said voting was generally calm and peaceful. Jubilant NDC supporters took to the streets of Accra's historic Jamestown, chanting, banging pans and blaring horns after results from their polling stations showed the party in a comfortable lead. The electoral commission said over 99% of polling stations opened on time with voting materials delivered to them. It said later Saturday evening that turnout was massive, but it was too early to give a specific figure. Benjamin Bano-Bio, director of electoral services, said voting was calm though there were some pockets of violence. "Our verification machines were effective, and the entire process was largely peaceful, except for a few places where violence occurred, leading to the death of one person," Bano-Bio told a news conference. After polls closed at 1700 GMT, election teams immediately began tallying ballots under the watch of agents from political parties before sending them to collation centers. Some provisional legislative results are expected late Saturday night and Sunday, while the presidential outcome is expected by Tuesday, although trends often allow an early prediction. Approximately 18.7 million of Ghana's 34 million population are registered to vote.CHENNAI : The high and mighty of the ruling DMK finally ended their eerie silence against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder Vijay on Saturday and launched a reactionary blitzkrieg to the actor-politician calling the incumbent Dravidian model regime a 'monarchy', a covert reference to the rise of Stalin junior in the DMK and the office of deputy CM. Asked about the monarchy reference at the book launch event attended by actor Vijay, an evasive Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said, "I do not watch cinema news." When reporters persisted with queries about the VCK deputy general secretary calling for the end of 'monarchy' in 2026, and a person must not become CM by virtue of birth, which was seconded by actor Vijay, a visibly agitated Udhayanidhi, also the secretary of the DMK youth wing, said, "Who is Chief Minister by birth? He (MK Stalin) became a Chief Minister after being elected by the people. Does that man not even have that knowledge?" Rebuffing Vijay's interpretation of the 200-seat target set by Stalin as hubris, a confident DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, said, "If we continue to work with dedication, as Thalapathy (Stalin) says, I will say with arrogance, we will definitely win 200 seats." Also Read: DMK using calamities for photo ops, slams Vijay at Ambedkar book launch event Earlier in the day, HR and CE minister PK Sekar Babu, responding to Vijay's criticism of Stalin, said, "Some political ignoramus, who has not come to the field, is criticising that the DMK's plan of winning 200 seats (in 2026) will not succeed. We will win all 234 in the 2026 Assembly polls. We will march on. Our speed will not reduce till we make Stalin the CM." State Law minister S Regupathy said, "We will form the government in 2026 and 2029. So, everyone pounces on us and not others. DMK alliance will win more than 200 seats. That is our target. What he (Vijay) says will happen in cinema with a big director, actors and art director. In politics, it will not." Offering to clarify the matter, Regupathy said, "Our deputy CM only said he will not follow cinema news. He only said that he would not yield to their plan of growing big in politics by targeting us (DMK). He did not underestimate anyone. He thinks it is a sheer waste to reply to him (Vijay)."
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ATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!FACT FOCUS: Vermont ruling does not say schools can vaccinate children without parental consentManipur: INDIA Bloc demands resolution of ethnic strife during Delhi sit-in protest
NoneThe Dolphins' improbable path to the playoffs isn't in their hands, but they must do their partBOISE, Idaho — Ashton Jeanty ran for 209 yards and a touchdown and No. 10 Boise State earned a College Football Playoff spot, beating No. 19 UNLV 21-7 on Friday night for its second straight Mountain West title. Boise State (12-1, No. 10 CFP) is all but assured of a first-round bye in the playoffs if it maintains its ranking ahead of the Big 12 winner and finishes as one of the four highest-ranked conference champs. “In January when they were playing tug of war on the field with their shirts off, they talked about what they wanted to do this season,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said. “They wanted to win a conference championship and make it to the college playoffs, and they worked for that.” Jeanty, who had the spotlight to himself to state his Heisman case, didn’t disappoint, ripping off an electrifying 75-yard touchdown run. It was his fifth TD run of 70 yards or more this season, tying LaDainian Tomlinson’s FBS season record. Jeanty also surpassed 1981 Heisman winner Marcus Allen of Southern California to move into fourth place on the FBS season rushing list and needs 132 more to pass record-holder Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State. Maddux Madsen threw a touchdown pass and rushed for another score for the Broncos. Related Story: UNLV’s Offensive Struggles UNLV (10-3, No. 20 CFP), which entered the game seventh nationally in scoring offense averaging 38.7 points, hadn’t been held below 23 this season. “I have been in championship games before and come up on the wrong end of them,” UNLV coach Barry Odom said. “But you continue to learn from them and move your organization forward and find a way to get back to a game like this and win it.” However, Odom didn’t mince words when describing how he felt about Boise State, which handed his team two of their three losses. “Good luck to anyone who comes here and thinks they’re going to win the game,” Odom said. “I think they’re one of the best teams in college football right now. And I think they’ll do a great job representing this conference. They’re built to make a run.” Related Story: Broncos’ Dominant First Half With UNLV loading the box with eight or nine defenders early in the game, Boise State leaned heavily on Madsen in the first quarter. And he delivered, completing six of his first seven passes, including a 22-yard scoring strike to Latrell Caples for a 7-0 lead. Madsen used his legs to put the Broncos ahead 14-0, scrambling for a 14-yard TD run with 2:40 left in the first half. After a quick stop, Boise State got the ball back and let Jeanty work his magic. Two plays later, he raced through the teeth of the defense and sprinted to the end zone for a 75-yard TD run, giving the Broncos a 21-0 lead with 29 seconds left in the half. UNLV had a chance to claw back into it late in the third quarter when Kylin James raced 86 yards before Seyi Oladipo ran him down at the Boise State 5. But the Rebels lost 4 yards on the next four plays and failed to score. The Rebels finally got into the end zone with 9:06 left on a Greg Burrell 31-yard run. Hajj-Malik Williams led UNLV offensively with 110 yards passing and 56 yards rushing. Related Story: Takeaways UNLV: Odom, who guided the Rebels to their first 10-win season in 40 years, has the program headed in the right direction after UNLV had just seven wins in the three seasons before his arrival. If he continues to recruit well and build through the transfer portal like he did this season, the Rebels should contend for the Mountain West title. Boise State: First-year coach Spencer Danielson delivered what the program’s fan base has been starving for since it made waves in the college football world in 2006 by going undefeated and beating Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. But now this team has a chance to take it one step further and take down one of the sport’s blue bloods in the playoffs. Up Next Boise State awaits the selection show Sunday to find out who and when it will play in the College Football Playoff.
