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Trump’s Tina Peters pardon talk hits state reality; Australia subsidizes power to keep Tomago smelter humming; U.S. keeps nuclear umbrella over South Korea; Austria bans headscarves for girls under 14 as courts loom; Judge frees Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention
Trump's Tina Peters "Pardon" meets state-level reality
Former President Donald Trump announced a full pardon for Colorado election denier Tina Peters, who was convicted for helping outsiders breach voting machine security. Colorado officials replied that presidential clemency does not apply to state convictions, so her verdict and penalties remain. Press conference bravado does not rewrite Civics 101.
Canberra underwrites cheap power to keep Tomago smelter humming
The Australian government revealed a taxpayer-backed deal to keep Rio Tinto's Tomago aluminium smelter open beyond 2028 via Snowy Hydro, using renewables, storage, and gas. The subsidy aims to protect roughly 1,000 jobs at a plant that makes more than one third of Australia's aluminium and uses 12 percent of New South Wales power. Framed under the Future Made in Australia policy, it promises green aluminium someday while risking the usual pitfalls, volatile prices, slow grid build, and the public left paying if competitiveness never arrives. Unlike Queensland's Boyne deal, this one is not tied to a coal plant closure. Business applauded quickly. Details and an exit strategy, not so much. Nothing says free market like a blank check with the end date redacted.
U.S. tells South Korea the nuclear umbrella stays open
At the first meeting of a key extended deterrence body, Washington reaffirmed its commitment to defend Seoul in President Trump's second term. Translation, the deterrent remains in place and Pyongyang is reminded that extended is not just brochure copy.
Austria bans headscarves for girls under 14, courts likely to weigh in
Austria's three party coalition approved a law banning traditional Muslim coverings such as the hijab or burka for girls under 14 in public and private schools. First offenses trigger meetings with school authorities. Repeat cases can be reported to youth welfare, with families fined up to 800 euros. Ministers frame it as gender equality and Neos leader Yannick Shetty says it is not against religion. The Greens and Austria's Islamic Community call it unconstitutional and stigmatizing, and a legal challenge is planned. The Constitutional Court struck down a narrower ban in 2020 for targeting Muslim students, so a rematch seems likely. The far right FPÖ backed the measure while demanding a blanket ban for all ages and staff, subtle as a sledgehammer. Liberation by wardrobe policing remains a curious brand of freedom. A trial period starts in February, with full implementation in September.
Federal judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was freed in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, on a federal judge's order while he fights to remain in the United States. Once wrongfully deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador and thrust into the spotlight during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, he can now contest his case from home. A rare instance of the system correcting a harm it helped create.
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