Biden awarded Medal of Freedom

President Barack Obama surprised Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday by presenting him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Biden, who was extremely emotional during the tribute, accepted the award but said he didn’t deserve it. “This honor is not only well beyond what I deserve, but it’s a reflection of the extent and generosity of your spirit,” Biden said. “I don’t deserve this but I know it came from the President’s heart.” Joe Biden was shocked when the Medal was presented to him, saying he had no “inkling” it was going to happen.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/12/politics/biden-awarded-presidential-medal-of-freedom/index.htm

Former Iranian president dies

On Sunday, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani died after a he suffered a heart attack. Rafsanjani served two terms as Iran’s president from 1989 to 1997, afterwards, he continued to be an influential political figure in Iran. At the time of his death he was the chairman of the Expediency Council, which aims to settle disputes between the country’s parliament and the Guardian Council. Rafsanjani was also a vocal supporter of current Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. After his death, Hassan Rouhani posted on Twitter his praise and admiration for Hashemi Rafanjani. He was 82 years old.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/08/middleeast/iran-former-president-rafsanjani-dies/index.html

Two in Belgium charged with Paris terror attacks

Two individuals have been charged in connection with the attacks of Paris that look place November of last year. They have been accused of providing false documents to Khalid El Bakraoui, which were used during the preparations for the attacks in Paris. Bakraoui was also named as one of the individuals who carried out the Brussels Airport and metro attacks in March of 2016.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/12/europe/paris-terror-attacks-suspects/index.html

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Donald Trump holds first news conference since the election

President-elect Donald Trump held his first news conference since winning the election on Wednesday. He has claimed he has no business ties with Russia and then declared that if he were to build in Russia, he find partners for a venture with ease. As recently as 2013, the President-elect was negotiating a deal with Russian billionaire, Aras Agalarov, to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. He also stated that the US government “is the worst” when it comes to the nation’s vulnerability to hackers. Trump concluded that Russia was probably guilty of hacking but it will cease at once when he takes charge.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/11/opinions/trump-news-conference-stanley/

Dylann Roof sentenced to death

In 2015, Dylann Roof, a white supremacist, killed nine people in a predominantly black Baptist church. This week, he was sentenced to death, becoming the first person to be convicted of a federal hate crime to get the death penalty. This, however, doesn’t mean Roof will be executed any time soon, if ever. The federal government very rarely executes convicts, especially in some of the 31 states that enforce capital government. Roof also faces 13 charges in South Carolina, nine of which are counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a handgun during a commission of a violent crime. Roof is now the 63rd person on federal death row now.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/12/us/dylann-roof-death-penalty-explainer/