A massive storm brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain across a wide swath of the southern United States on Sunday, Dec.9. It caused dangerously icy roads, immobilizing snowfalls, and power outages to hundreds of thousands of people.
Accidents on snow-covered interstates are causing major delays. Drivers in North Carolina and Virginia are getting stuck in the snow or losing control on icy patches. Hundreds of flights have been canceled.
Governors and local officials in several states declared emergencies ahead of the storm crossing several Southern states, which is hitting portions of North Carolina and Virginia particularly hard.
Meanwhile, children and the young at heart are taking advantage of heavy snowfall with snowball fights and snowmen.
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China’s Threat to Ottawa Over Huawei CFO Arrest Ignores Rule of Law in Canada
The Chinese regime escalated its warning to Canada on Saturday, Dec. 8, over the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wenzhou, saying that there will be “serious consequences” if she isn’t released immediately.
What the Chinese communist regime may be ignoring, however, is that governments in democratic nations can’t interfere with legal proceedings.
“I think this is very typical of China’s behavior,” said Brian Lee Crowley, managing director of the think tank Macdonald-Laurier Institute. “They look at how they behave domestically, and how every institution in China must bend to the will of the Communist Party, and they just assume that every other society is organized the same way.”
Meng, Huawei’s global chief financial officer, was arrested in Canada on Dec. 1 and faces extradition to the United States.
She is alleged to have lied to U.S. banks about Huawei’s relationship with Skycom, a Hong Kong-based company that reportedly conducted business with Iran.
The executive is the daughter of the founder of Huawei.
If extradited to the United States, Meng would face charges of conspiracy to defraud multiple financial institutions, a Canadian court heard on Friday, with a maximum sentence of 30 years for each charge.
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Paris Cleans Up as Macron Prepares to Respond to ‘Yellow Vest’ Riots
Workers in Paris swept up broken glass and towed away burnt out cars on Sunday, Dec. 9, after the latest “yellow vest” riots.
The government said that President Emmanuel Macron would address the nation this week.
More than 1,700 people were arrested as protesters faced off with riot police.
Authorities had prepared for the clashes, with monuments and tourist sites closed and 8,000 security guards were put in the capital.
Most of the anger is directed at Macron, who has fallen out of favour with those who cannot afford his tax reforms—which have made the cost of living difficult for some.
One of them—a fuel tax hike—was scrapped from next year’s budget due to the protests.
“I don’t know if Macron’s resignation is necessary, but he must completely change course,” said Bertrand Cruzatier as he watched cleaners scrub out anti-Macron graffiti at Place de la Republique.
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Thousands Dressed as Santa Claus and Race Through Madrid for Charity
Thousands of running Santas flooded one of Madrid’s main boulevards on Sunday, Dec. 9, as they took part in a 3-mile charity race with a very festive feel.
More than 7,000 runners took part in the race, according to organizers.
Part of the funds raised in the race will be donated to the INTHEOS Foundation, helping children with cancer.
