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Bitcoin hits one-month high near $72,000 as haven demand rises #Bitcoin_hits #demand_rises #hits_one-month #one-month_high #haven_demand

Trump Administration Drops Defense of Law Firm Sanctions The Trump administration has decided to drop its defense of sanctions against a law firm that was accused of violating U.S. laws by working with foreign governments, according to people familiar with the matter. The move marks a significant shift in the government's stance on the case, which had been seen as a test of how aggressively the administration would enforce its rules on lobbying and political consulting firms. The law firm in question is Alston & Bird LLP, which was accused by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of violating U.S. sanctions by working with foreign governments that are subject to economic penalties. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Justice Department said only that the government "has decided not to appeal" the decision by a federal judge in Washington D.C. to lift the sanctions against Alston & Bird. The sanctions were imposed in 2017 after an investigation found that the law firm had worked with foreign governments that are subject to U.S. economic penalties, including Cuba and Venezuela. Lawyers for Alston & Bird argued that the sanctions were overly broad and harmed the firm's ability to continue practicing law. The judge agreed, ruling that the sanctions were "invalid" and ordering their lifting. The Trump administration had been expected to appeal the decision, but people familiar with the matter said that officials had been reevaluating the case in recent weeks. It is unclear what led to the change of heart, but some speculate that the administration may have realized that appealing the decision could lead to a further legal and...#Venezuela #Justice_Department #Alston_and_Bird_LLP #Trump_Administration #US_laws #Office_of_Foreign_Assets_Control #Treasury_Department #Washington_DC #Cuba

DOJ Renews Fight Against Law Firms That Stood Up to Trump in Abrupt Reversal In a surprise move, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has announced that it will renew its fight against two law firms that had successfully challenged several executive orders issued by former President Donald Trump. The sudden reversal comes just days after the DoJ dropped its case against the law firms, which had argued that the orders were unconstitutional. The two law firms, Arnold & Porter and Mayer Brown, had taken on a number of high-profile cases challenging Trump's executive actions, including his travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries and his order to build a border wall with Mexico. In each instance, the law firms successfully convinced federal judges to block or strike down the orders, citing constitutional violations. The DoJ's decision to drop its case against the law firms was seen as a major victory for advocates of civil liberties and government accountability. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the department has now filed new briefs arguing that the law firms' work on behalf of their clients was "unscrupulous" and "in violation of professional ethics." According to sources familiar with the matter, the DoJ's decision to renew its fight against the law firms was motivated by a desire to punish them for their perceived disloyalty to Trump. The move has been widely condemned by legal experts and civil liberties advocates, who see it as an attempt to intimidate and silence lawyers who dare to challenge the government. "This is a clear attempt to bully and harass these law firms into backing down," said one lawyer familiar with the case. "It's unacceptable that the DoJ would try to use its power to punish them for doing their jobs...#Donald_Trump #Arnold_Porter #Mayer_Brown #Department_of_Justice #United_States_Congress #Constitution_of_the_United_States

Nitish Kumar To Resign As Bihar CM? JDU Chief Likely To File Rajya Sabha Nomination, Say Sources Patna: Amidst speculation about a possible change in leadership in Bihar, sources close to the development have revealed that Janata Dal United (JDU) chief Nitish Kumar is likely to resign as the Chief Minister of the state. The move comes ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, where JDU is expected to field its candidate. According to insiders, Kumar's decision to step down is a result of his party's desire to have a representative in the Upper House of Parliament. Sources claim that the JDU chief has already begun consultations with top leaders within the party and other coalition partners to facilitate a smooth transition. Kumar's resignation as CM would create a power vacuum in Bihar, which could lead to a series of high-stakes political developments. The move is also expected to have far-reaching implications for the state's politics, particularly in light of Kumar's long-standing association with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. The Rajya Sabha polls are expected to take place soon, with JDU's candidate likely to be announced shortly. Sources indicate that a strong contender from the party is being groomed for the position, which would require the support of other coalition partners in the state. Kumar's decision to step down as CM comes at a time when Bihar is grappling with several political and economic challenges. The state has been reeling under the impact of droughts, floods, and agricultural distress, which have had a significant bearing on its economy. As the JDU chief begins his campaign for the Rajya Sabha polls, speculation is rife about potential contenders for the Chief Minister's post. Names of several senior leaders within the party are being floated ...#Congress #JDU #Bihar #RJD #Rajya_Sabha #Nitish_Kumar #Tejashwi_Yadav

Leon Kennedy's actor has seen all your thirst traps: 'I found myself in life embodying an avatar that's just infinitely better looking than myself' The trials and tribulations of playing Leon Kennedy. #Leon_Kennedy #Kennedy_actor #thirst_traps #playing_Leon #life_embodying #Kennedy

A New Chapter Down Under: India to Launch Asian Cup Journey in Perth Against Vietnam As the Indian national team prepares to embark on a new chapter in their journey, they will kick off their Asian Cup campaign against Vietnam in Perth. The tournament, set to take place from January 6 to February 1, marks a fresh start for the Indian football fraternity as they look to leave the past behind and forge a new path. For India, this edition of the Asian Cup holds immense significance as it marks a chance to redeem themselves after a disappointing show in the previous edition. The team's performances have been patchy over the years, with moments of brilliance followed by periods of mediocrity. However, under the guidance of coach Igor Stimac, the team has shown signs of improvement and is now looking to take the next step. The Indian team has undergone significant changes since their last appearance in the Asian Cup. The squad now boasts a mix of youth and experience, with players like Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Sandesh Jhingan providing the much-needed leadership. The team's attacking prowess is also expected to be bolstered by the inclusion of forwards like Robin Singh and Balwant Singh. For Vietnam, this tournament presents a golden opportunity to make an impact on the international stage. With their strong home record and impressive performances in recent tournaments, they will be confident of causing an upset or two. Their squad boasts a mix of experienced players and young talents, with goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung and midfielder Que Ngoc Hai being some of the key players. The Indian team's pre...#India #Vietnam #Perth #Asian_Cup #Sunil_Chhetri #Igor_Stimac #Gurpreet_Singh_Sandhu #Sandesh_Jhingan #Robin_Singh #Balwant_Singh #Bui_Tien_Dung #Que_Ngoc_Hai

India vs Vietnam LIVE: Latest Updates, Scores, Commentary, News from AFC Women's Asian Cup The Indian women's national team is in action against Vietnam at the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022, and ESPN brings you all the latest updates, scores, commentary, and news from the match. Follow along for live coverage of the contest. India, looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to China, started strongly with Sandhiya Ranganathan testing the Vietnamese goalkeeper early on. However, Vietnam held firm and responded with some good counter-attacking play. The Indian defense was put under pressure, but the custodian made some crucial saves to keep her team in the contest. As the first half wore on, India began to get more possession and started to create more chances. Dangmei's pace caused problems for the Vietnamese backline, while the midfield trio of Kalyani, Indumathi and Ranjana looked comfortable in their roles. Vietnam, meanwhile, relied heavily on set pieces, but the Indian defense coped well with the threat. The second half saw India push harder for a breakthrough, with Dangmei and Ranganathan both going close to scoring. The Vietnamese goalkeeper made some excellent saves to deny the Indians, but it was only a matter of time before India broke the deadlock. It came in the 68th minute when Indumathi's long-range effort found the bottom corner, giving India a vital lead. Vietnam pushed hard for an equalizer, but the Indian defense held strong. In the end, it was a well-deserved win for the Indians, who will look to build on this momentum as they take on Iran in their next match.#India #Vietnam #Iran #AFC_Womens_Asian_Cup_2022 #Sandhiya_Ranganathan #Dangmei #Kalyani #Indumathi #Ranjana

West Asia Conflict: Iranian Ship Struck by Submarine off Sri Lankan Coast: Report A tense situation has unfolded in the West Asia region as a report emerged that an Iranian ship was struck by a submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka. The incident has sparked concerns about the escalating tensions between Iran and its arch-rivals, particularly Israel. According to sources, the attack took place on Tuesday morning when a submarine believed to be Israeli launched a missile strike on the Iranian vessel, which was reportedly carrying cargo and crew. The ship is said to have suffered significant damage but there are no reports of any casualties or fatalities. The incident has been confirmed by multiple sources, including naval officials in Sri Lanka and eyewitnesses who witnessed the attack. However, the Israeli government has declined to comment on the matter, citing security concerns. The strike comes amidst heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, which have been at odds over issues such as nuclear development and territorial disputes. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has vowed to take revenge for any attacks on its vessels or personnel. In a statement, the IRGC said that it would not hesitate to retaliate against any aggression directed towards it. "We will respond with force to any attack on our ships or personnel," a spokesperson said. The incident also raises concerns about the increasing presence of naval forces in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, where several countries are vying for influence. Sri Lanka, which has historically maintained good relations with both Iran and Israel, has called for restraint from all parties involved. "We urge all nations to exercise cautio...#Israel #Iran #Indian_Ocean #Arabian_Sea #IRGC #West_Asia_Conflict #Iranian_Ship #Sri_Lankan_Coast #Israeli_Submarine

Sri Lanka Rescues 32 Critically Injured Sailors from Sunk Iranian Warship The Sri Lankan Navy has successfully rescued 32 critically injured sailors from the wreck of an Iranian warship that sank in the Indian Ocean. The rescue operation was carried out in challenging weather conditions, with strong winds and high waves making it difficult for the rescuers to reach the stranded sailors. According to reports, the Iranian warship, which was not identified by name or type, was involved in a collision with another vessel on Tuesday evening. The ship sank soon after, leaving its 35-strong crew struggling to stay afloat in the rough seas. Sri Lanka's Navy received distress calls from the Iranian sailors and quickly dispatched two ships, SLNS Sagara and SLNS Ranhiru, to the location of the wreckage. The rescuers worked tirelessly through the night to reach the stranded sailors, braving treacherous weather conditions to ensure their safety. The 32 rescued sailors were taken aboard the Sri Lankan Navy's vessels and received medical attention for their injuries. The remaining three sailors are still missing, and a search operation is ongoing to locate them. Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has praised the bravery and professionalism of the country's naval personnel involved in the rescue operation. "Our sailors have once again demonstrated their expertise and dedication to saving lives at sea," he said in a statement. The rescue operation has been hailed as a major success, with international organizations and maritime authorities praising Sri Lanka for its swift response and selfless act of humanity. The incident highlights the importance of international cooperation and assistance in times of crisis, and Sri Lanka's role in providing aid to those in need.#Sri_Lanka #Indian_Ocean #Iranian_Warship #Gotabaya_Rajapaksa #SLNS_Sagara #SLNS_Ranhiru

Submarine Attacks Iranian Ship Off Sri Lanka, 101 Missing: Report A submarine attack on an Iranian ship off the coast of Sri Lanka has left at least 101 people missing, according to a report. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning, when the Iranian-flagged oil tanker MT Mercer Street was attacked by a suspected pirate or naval vessel. The ship, which is operated by Dubai-based company Bahri, was traveling from the Middle East to Europe when it came under attack off the coast of Sri Lanka. The vessel's crew sent out a distress signal, and nearby ships rushed to assist in the rescue efforts. The Sri Lankan navy has confirmed that it received several distress calls from the Mercer Street and dispatched multiple vessels to the scene. However, despite their best efforts, no survivors have been found so far, and the fate of the 101 missing crew members remains unknown. According to reports, the attack occurred around 10:30 am local time on Monday morning, when the submarine or naval vessel fired several torpedoes at the Mercer Street. The ship's crew managed to send out a distress signal before the attack, which helped nearby vessels respond quickly to the emergency. The Sri Lankan navy has launched an investigation into the incident and is working closely with international authorities to determine the identity of the attackers. The Indian Navy has also been alerted to assist in the search efforts. The Mercer Street was carrying oil from the Middle East to Europe when it came under attack, and the loss of life has sent shockwaves through the maritime industry. An investigation into the incident is underway, but so far, no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack.#Dubai #Iran #Sri_Lanka #Indian_Navy #MT_Mercer_Street #Bahri #Sri_Lankan_navy