
Fact check: Trump falsely claims polls show his Black support has quadrupled or quintupled since his mug shot
Former President Donald Trump falsely claimed Wednesday that polls show his support among Black Americans has quadrupled or quintupled since his mug shot was released.
2023-09-08 19:21

How tall is Kamala Harris? White House had to get new desk chairs when Vice-President took office
According to White House staffers, the desk chairs were so far used by men of average height
2023-09-08 18:59

India seeks a greater voice for the developing world at G20, but Ukraine war may overshadow talks
It’s never been easy for the leaders of the world’s largest economies to find common ground, but Russia’s war on Ukraine has made it even harder for the Group of 20 meeting to reach meaningful agreements this year
2023-09-08 18:58

Brussels Midi Station, once a stately gateway to Belgium, has turned into a festering sore
Belgium acknowledged Thursday that its major rail gateway, the Brussels Midi Station, has become a festering sore of drug abuse, poverty and violence that is a major stain on a nation preparing to take on the presidency of the European Union. The government vowed to tackle the problem, but some critics say action is coming way too late, while others say that any cleanup operation will only push the big-city problems to other neighbourhoods. Belgium, one of the wealthiest nations in the world, with a major tourism industry, has neglected the once-stately Midi Station for decades. It has become a symbol of dysfunctional government as increasingly many of the 160,000 daily commuters and tourists no longer fully feel safe. The increasing spread of crack cocaine and open dealing and use of drugs in the neighbourhood over the past year have exacerbated an already bad situation to the point that petty theft, fights and harassment of tourists have become everyday headline news in the nation of 11.5 million. Belgium takes on the presidency of the 27-nation EU in January for six months. Governments who hold the presidency typically use the opportunity to bask in the global attention to promote their nation. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said at a news conference Thursday that he felt he had to take action and no longer leave security at such a key time to a warren of local authorities who had proven they were not up to the task. “The challenge is one of security that we owe to everyone passing through Brussels. It is about the livable conditions in the neighbourhood, and of course, it is about the image of Brussels and the image of our nation,” he said Thursday. As an immediate measure, it was announced that a special police station will be set up at the existing station at the train station to make interventions easier. But far more fundamental issues are at stake, said historian, former politician and Brussels pundit Luckas Vander Taelen. “Nobody has done anything for years. So this problem gets always worse. And that’s what happens today — everybody seems concerned. But I wonder what is going to change here," he said. Vander Taelen blamed Belgium's Byzantine political structure of overlapping local, regional and national authorities who he said all too often blame each other instead of actually doing something in unison. “There are too many levels of power in Brussels and that paralyses everything,” he said. As criticism mounted, police organized highly publicized raids through the massive railway station, picking up and detaining several people while a cleaning team did away with much of the muck and dirt. Those are only stop-gap solutions though, said Ariane Dierickx of the l'Ilot aid group, which provides services for the homeless and needy. “It was shocking to see that all these people that have been rejected by society are being picked up by police vans while they are not criminals,” she said. “It shows how inadequate the response is.” Dierickx said it would only move the problem to other areas. Belgium's image is being soiled in other places too, De Croo's critics say, since problems at the Nord Station, another major train hub in the capital, haven't been much better. One of the major issues has been the rise of drug trafficking and its accompanying violence in Belgium. The northern port of Antwerp has turned into a main gateway for Latin American cocaine cartels into the continent and cocaine seizures there have more than doubled in the past half decade, according to customs officials. Because of that, relatively inexpensive cocaine has boomed in Brussels and crack cocaine has become a massive security issue, especially around the Midi station. Read More Carrasco dismisses criticism of human rights in Saudi Arabia after transfer to Al Shabab Swimmers enjoy sunshine and a dip at lido celebrating 100th anniversary World War I memorials in France and Belgium are vying again to become UNESCO World Heritage sites Belgium imposes a ban on shelter for single men seeking asylum to make place for families The Ukraine war, propaganda-style, is coming to Russian movie screens. Will people watch? The Ukraine war, propaganda-style, is coming to Russian movie screens. Will people watch?
2023-09-08 18:47

Nikki Haley's 2024 White House bid charts hazardous path in isolationist Republican Party
By Gram Slattery MANCHESTER, New Hampshire U.S. 2024 Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley wants to send special forces
2023-09-08 18:24

Gas prices jump as strikes in Australia begin
A row over pay and conditions has led to walkouts at two liquefied natural gas facilities.
2023-09-08 18:23

Ukraine war: Russia holds local elections in occupied Ukraine
Many taking part in early polling have been asked to vote in the presence of armed Russian soldiers.
2023-09-08 18:20

Georgia grand jury report on Trump election interference to be released Friday
By Joseph Ax The final report from a special grand jury that investigated Donald Trump's attempts to overturn
2023-09-08 18:16

Rishi Sunak makes 'historic' G20 visit to India
He is the first British prime minister of Indian heritage to visit the country.
2023-09-08 18:15

White House completes $50 million revamp of high-security Situation Room
The White House Situation Room, the high-security complex beneath the West Wing where presidents watch history unfold and receive top-secret intelligence, has undergone a much-needed makeover for the first time in 15 years.
2023-09-08 17:59

Hulk Hogan shares with Joe Rogan 'never-admitted' truth about legendary surfer Laird Hamilton
'Could you imagine riding one of those waves, bro? The rush?' Hulk Hogan asked
2023-09-08 17:47

Exclusive: How the Supreme Court's conservatives rebuffed Alabama
When the Supreme Court considered the challenge to an Alabama congressional map that shortchanged the state's Black voters, liberal justices expected the conservative majority to side with Alabama -- if not gut the 1965 Voting Rights Act altogether.
2023-09-08 17:19