Top Asian News 4:08 a.m. GMT

Associated Press

Updated November 14, 2024 at 11:08 p.m.·1 min read

Party of Sri Lanka's new Marxist-leaning president takes large lead in parliamentary vote

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The party of Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took a large lead Friday in early results from the parliamentary elections, in an apparent solid mandate for his program for economic revival. Dissanayake’s National People’s Power Party won 15 of the 22 electoral districts whose results have been released so far by the Elections Commission. Dissanayake was elected president on Sept. 21 in a rejection of traditional political parties that have governed the island nation since its independence from British rule in 1948. But he received just 42% of the votes, fueling questions over his party’s outlook in Thursday’s parliamentary elections.

The Canadian Press
Trump demands immediate release of Oct. 7 hostages, says otherwise there will be 'HELL TO PAY'
NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office there will be “HELL TO PAY."
HuffPost
John Dean Reveals Biden Move That Could Doom Trump's 'Revenge' Plot
The Watergate figure said the president could "take the wind" out of Trump's plans for revenge and retribution with a stroke of his pen.
HuffPost
Geraldo Rivera Slaps Trump Supporters With A Reality Check After Biden’s Pardon
The former Fox News host and one-time Trump pal pointed out a double standard.
The Canadian Press
Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family members.
The Daily Beast
‘Morning Joe’ Airs the Same Chilling Clip of Trump’s FBI Pick 3 Times in a Row
MSNBC’s Morning Joe crew on Monday reacted with horror to Donald Trump’s decision to pick Kash Patel to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The choice of Patel, a lawyer who served in several roles in the president-elect’s first administration, set off a firestorm of criticism in part because of his promotion of conspiracy theories and calls for retribution against Trump’s opponents in a second term. To underscore the point, Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough repeatedly asked for a clip t
The Daily Beast
Trump Taps Another Daughter’s Father-in-Law for Key Role
President-elect Donald Trump has opted to keep it in the family again with some of his latest administrative picks-- this time, with the senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Trump has appointed Lebanon billionaire Massad Boulos to take on the role. His son, Michael, is married to Tiffany Trump, the president’s youngest daughter. “Massad is an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world, with extensive experience on the International scene,“ Trump wrote o
Reuters
Canada pulls refugee welcome mat, launches ads warning asylum claims hard
Once presenting itself as one of the world's most welcoming countries to refugees and immigrants, Canada is launching a global online ad campaign cautioning asylum-seekers that making a claim is hard. The C$250,000 ($178,662) in advertisements will run through March in 11 languages, including Spanish, Urdu, Ukrainian, Hindi and Tamil, the immigration department told Reuters. Search queries such as "how to claim asylum in Canada" and "refugee Canada" will prompt sponsored content titled "Canada's asylum system – Asylum Facts," the ministry said.
Business Insider
Here's the state of the last uncalled House race and why it's important
Democrat Adam Gray currently has 105,083 votes, compared to 104,856 votes for Republican John Duarte, according to the California Secretary of State.
GOBankingRates
5 Cities You Should Consider Relocating To After Trump Takes Office
Elections have winners and losers. And that can go for states and cities as well. Although President-elect Trump is known for being unpredictable, he did make a lot of promises on the campaign trail....
The Daily Beast
CNN Host Laughs in GOP Rep’s Face Over Promises to ‘Compromise’
A CNN host laughed on Sunday after a Republican lawmaker suggested his traditionally fractious party was capable of political compromise within the House of Representatives. In her guest-hosting stint on State of the Union, CNN host Kasie Hunt asked Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) what he thinks his party should do with its razor-thin majority, 218-217 majority in the House come next year. The margin—due in part to President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet choices, and one that will likely grow after speci
Associated Press
Trump taps Kash Patel for FBI director, an ally who would aid in his effort to upend law enforcement
President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate Kash Patel to serve as FBI director, turning to a fierce ally to upend America’s premier law enforcement agency and rid the government of perceived “conspirators.” It’s the latest bombshell Trump has thrown at the Washington establishment and a test for how far Senate Republicans will go in confirming his nominees. The selection is in keeping with Trump's view that the government's law enforcement and intelligence agencies require a radical transformation and his stated desire for retribution against supposed adversaries.
The Daily Beast
‘Elon Is Right’: Bernie Sanders Praises Musk for Key DOGE Proposal
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) heaped praise on MAGA billionaire Elon Musk’s plans to rein in defense spending as part of his Trump-appointed mission to find ways to slash government spending. “Elon Musk is right,” tweeted Sanders on Sunday. “Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change.” That makes Sanders, a democratic socialist who twice came in second for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, a st
HuffPost UK
Ex-Ukrainian Minister Issues Stark Warning To Kyiv Amid Growing Concerns Putin May Win The War
"If it continues like this, we will lose."
Business Insider
National security advisor Jake Sullivan says Biden told him to oversee a 'massive surge' of weapons deliveries to Ukraine before his term ends
National security advisor Jake Sullivan said President Biden was doing what he could to "strengthen" the position of Ukraine before he leaves office.
Rolling Stone
Trump and His Team Are ‘Laughing’ at Biden’s Commitment to Decorum
Biden called Trump a fascist. Now his White House is ensuring an orderly transfer of power — and staging photo ops with the president-elect
Global News
U.S. tariff issue will be 'a climbdown for Justin Trudeau', says Alberta Premier
In light of Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff slap, Mercedes Stephenson went to a province that would be one of the hardest hit. In a sit-down interview with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, she told The West Block host her plans to work with the incoming American administration and if that includes Ottawa.
HuffPost
Meghan McCain Knocks 'Nepo Baby' Hunter Biden After Surprise Pardon
The daughter of late Sen. John McCain took aim at Democrats in a Monday morning post on X.
The Canadian Press
Poilievre calls for asylum seeker cap, border plan as U.S. tariff threat looms
OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has demanded the federal government present a plan before Parliament to beef up border security as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to impose stiff tariffs on Canada.
The Independent
Ellen DeGeneres’s England home floods weeks after her move to the UK following Donald Trump’s victory
The flood was caused following the aftermath of Storm Bert
Reuters
Philippines' Marcos says presence of Russian submarine 'very worrisome'
MANILA (Reuters) -President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday the presence of a Russian attack submarine in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea was "very worrisome". A Russian Kilo-class submarine was sighted 80 nautical miles off the western province of Occidental Mindoro on Nov. 28, Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a statement on Monday, confirming a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper.

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