Sidney Powell's defense in the $1.3 billion Dominion lawsuit may be used against her in Michigan sanctions effort

Associated Press
Japan's ban on recognizing same-sex unions is unconstitutional, a court finds. Here's what to know
Japan's refusal to recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, a high court ruled Friday, the latest victory for the LGBGQ+ community to add pressure on the reluctant government. Friday’s decision by the Fukuoka High Court in southern Japan marks the eighth victory out of nine rulings since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019. A. In Friday’s ruling, presiding Judge Takeshi Okada noted that the current civil law provisions barring the marriage of same-sex couples violates their fundamental right to the pursuit of happiness guaranteed under Article 13 of the Japanese Constitution.
Reuters
China sets up AI standards committee as global tech race intensifies
China's industry ministry will set up an artificial intelligence standardisation technical committee focusing on developing industry standards in areas such as large language models and AI risk assessment, it said on Friday. The 41-member committee includes representatives from tech giant Baidu and leading academic institutions such as Peking University, the ministry said in a statement. Beijing is trying to strike a balance between regulating the fast-growing AI sector and promoting its development, amid global concerns about safety and ethical implications.
AFP
Syria Kurds warm up to new leaders but fear for hard-won gains
Kurdish authorities have made overtures to Islamist-led rebels who seized power in Syria last week, but the long-oppressed community fears it could lose hard-won gains it made during the war, including limited self-rule.As rebels led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized power, ousting president Bashar al-Assad, the Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria have multiplied overtures to the new leaders, like adopting the three-starred flag used by the opposition.
AFP
Reassured 'for now', Aleppo's Christians prepare for Christmas
For the Catholic Marist Brothers of Aleppo, one of nearly a dozen Christian communities in Syria's second city, today's most pressing question is how to decorate the Christmas tree.Of the approximately 200,000 Christians who lived in Aleppo before 2011, just 30,000 remain in the city, according to community leaders.
TODAY
Jonathan Bailey opens up about exploring his sexuality: ‘There are so many nuances to it’
Jonathan Bailey is opening up about his sexuality and how it's evolved, explaining that there are "many nuances" throughout his experience.
Reuters
Switzerland plans revamp of Cold War-era nuclear bunker network
Switzerland wants to update its network of ageing nuclear shelters, which are increasingly seen as an asset at a time of greater global uncertainty, notably since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Thanks to a 1963 law, Switzerland is already ahead of neighbours like Germany. Each of its 9 million residents, including foreigners and refugees, is guaranteed a spot in a bunker to protect them from bombs and nuclear radiation.
Associated Press
'Crown of Thorns' returns to Notre Dame cathedral for public veneration
An ancient relic that many Christians revere as Jesus Christ’s “Crown of Thorns” is returning to Notre Dame, five years after it was saved from the flames of the cathedral’s devastating 2019 fire. The ceremony will be presided over by the archbishop of Paris and attended by knights and dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, marking a key moment in the cathedral’s restoration journey. In 1239, it was acquired by King Louis IX of France, who brought it to Paris and housed it at Notre Dame before commissioning the Sainte-Chapelle for its safekeeping.
AFP
Second martial law impeachment vote for S. Korean president on knife edge
South Korea's opposition leader on Friday urged ruling party lawmakers to side with the "people" and impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, a day before a second parliamentary vote that appears on a knife edge.And should the vote fail, Yoon can still face "legal responsibility" for the martial law bid, Kim Hyun-jung, a researcher at the Korea University Institute of Law, told AFP. "This is clearly an act of insurrection," she said.
AFP
Ukraine facing 'massive' Russian attack on energy sector
Ukraine said Friday that it was fending off a new missile attack on its energy system, the latest in Russia's campaign targeting the war-torn country's power grid during the winter season.The latest strike comes a day after the Kremlin said it would "definitely" respond to a Ukrainian attack on a southern airfield using US-supplied ATACMS missiles.
Reuters
Analysis-China eyes negotiations as Trump threatens new tariffs
As Donald Trump steps up his tariff threats against China, Beijing is moving to beat the next U.S. president to the punch with its own restrictions and get Washington to the negotiating table ahead of a full-blown trade war, analysts say. Armed with the lessons of the last trade war during Trump's first term, China is seeking to amass bargaining chips to kick off talks with a new U.S. administration on contentious aspects of bilateral ties, including trade and investment, and science and technology.
CNN
The next steps in Luigi Mangione’s case and why his most serious charge is only second-degree murder
The most serious charge against healthcare CEO killing suspect Luigi Mangione is murder in the second-degree in New York, but the murder charge could be upgraded if prosecutors find evidence to prove he had an intent to commit terrorism by targeting other executives.
AFP
Markets retreat as China pledges fail to spark excitement
Markets fell Friday as China's latest vows to boost the beleaguered economy failed to stir much excitement, while traders looked ahead to a key Federal Reserve policy meeting next week.Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said it remained unclear how big a boost there would be, adding that, "while we may get a near-term stimulus bounce, we're still not convinced that policy support will prevent the economy from slowing further next year".
TODAY
Realtor sends out Christmas cards to business contacts, gets accused of being a home-wrecker
Georgia Realtor Jenny Smith sent Christmas cards to random contacts one year. One man called her angry because his wife thought she was his wecret girlfriend.
AFP
China FM says 'deeply concerned' about Syria in talks with Egypt counterpart
China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Egyptian counterpart on Friday that Beijing is "deeply concerned" about the situation in Syria, as the two top diplomats met in the Chinese capital."The two sides are deeply concerned about the current situation in Syria and call for respect for Syria's sovereignty," Wang told journalists, urging the prevention of "terrorist and extremist forces from taking advantage of the chaos".
AFP
Macron expected to name new French PM after deadlock
President Emmanuel Macron was expected Friday to name a new prime minister after days of deadlock over finding a candidate to replace Michel Barnier, whose ousting by parliament pushed France into a fresh crisis.Barnier was ousted in a historic no-confidence vote on December 4 and there had been expectations Macron would announce his successor in an address to the nation even a day later.
CNN
Russia launches massive attack on Ukraine’s energy sector, minister says
Russia launched a new widespread attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, forcing the country to implement emergency power outages, Ukrainian authorities said on Friday.
AFP
Filipina on Indonesia death row says planned transfer 'miracle'
A Filipina inmate on death row in Indonesia told AFP from prison Friday that her planned transfer was a "miracle", in her first interview since Manila and Jakarta signed an agreement last week to repatriate her."We are excited to finally be with my daughter," she told AFP on Friday.
Reuters
Russia launches major missile attack on Ukrainian power facilities, Kyiv says
KYIV (Reuters) -Russia launched a large-scale missile attack on Ukrainian energy facilities during the morning rush hour on Friday, Kyiv said, while explosions were heard in the Black Sea port of Odesa and other cities in western Ukraine. Russian forces have been targeting Ukraine's electricity system for most of the year and it renewed its strike campaign last month, causing lengthy power cuts for millions of civilians as the war with Russia nears the 34-month mark. An industry source told Reuters that Friday's attack had targeted Ukrainian power substations and that it had included more strikes on gas infrastructure than in past assaults.
CNN
Xi’s RSVP is a snub to Trump, but the inauguration invite is still a big deal
Imagine the scene, at noon, on January 20, on the west front of the US Capitol.
TODAY
No, cooking oil doesn't cause cancer — but new study links too much seed oil to colon tumors
Do cooking oils cause cancer? No, but a new study looking at seed oils, omega-6s and colon cancer is causing concern. Here's what to know.

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