France Passes Millionaire Tax

France's Constitutional Council approved a millionaire tax, on Sunday.

This decision comes a year to the day after the Council had rejected a previous proposal for a millionaire tax.

The Council had felt the previous one "failed to recognise equality before public burdens", as it tax seventy-five percent of an individuals income, if they make more than one million euros a year.

The new proposal taxes companies fifty percent, that pay salaries over one million euros a year.

Four hundred and seventy companies and twelve soccer teams will be affected by the new tax.

Police Block Protesters in Ukraine

Thousands of Ukrainians continued to protest in Kiev, on Sunday.

The people are still demanding that President Viktor Yanukovych and much of the rest of the government resign.

Protesters attempted to march on his home, carrying a coffin, but were blocked by police officers.


On December 17, ignoring the opinion of the people, Yanukovych signed a trade agreement with Russia.


He did so after repeatedly pledging to sign an agreement with the EU.

Protests have been taking place for over a month now, with crowds as large as two hundred thousand, in Kiev's Independence Square alone.

Many Ukrainians worry that Yanukovych is taking their country back under Russian influence and fear a loss of their independence from their former Soviet masters.

The protests gained steam after three former presidents backed them.

Police were unable to clear out the protesters earlier this month, and their failure had been followed by Yanukovych promising to get back to working on the deal with the EU.

However, his once again breaking his word has only heightened the calls for his removal from office and led to many to call him a traitor and warn that he should never return to the country.

The opposition had called for the government to replace him, but their lack of movement on the issue has led to calls for their removal as well.

So far, the protests have been almost completely peaceful, but that could change as anger continues.

Suicide Bombing Kills 16 in Russia

Sixteen people were killed in a suicide bombing in Volgograd, Russia.

Sunday's bombing targeted a train station, injuring forty-three people.

Witnesses say that a woman approached the metal detectors and refused to go through them.

As a police moved towards her she blew herself up.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Saudi Arabia Announces $3 Billion in Military Aid for Lebanon

President Michel Suleiman

On Sunday, it was announced that Saudi Arabia is granting Lebanon three billion dollars in military aid.

They will be doing this partially by buying weapons from France, to give Lebanon.

Michel Suleiman, Lebanon's president, made the announcement and added that he hoped France would move quickly on shipping the weapons.

He also stated his hope that France would consider aiding in training Lebanon's forces.

French President Francois Hollande responded that he was sure his country would be willing to assist an ally.

Saudi Arabia's goal is to allow the Lebanese military to become more powerful than Hezbollah, within Lebanon's borders.

Hezbollah, which is recognized as a terrorist group by several countries, currently wields much greater power than the military can.

This often allows the group to control national policy.

Israel Struck by Rockets From Lebanon

A Lebanese soldier inspects a shell remnant

Four rockets flew out of Lebanon and two of them struck Israel, on Sunday morning, with one falling near the town of Kiryat Shmona.

The other two rounds failed to cross the border, and fell into Lebanon.

Israel responded by firing thirty-two artillery rounds into the area that the rockets came from.

No injuries were reported from either incident.

Lebanese troops later found the remnants of the rocket launchpads, which were fired at Israel.

After bring relatively quiet, Israel's border with Lebanon has had several incidents of attacks on Israel, during December.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Bangladesh Cracks Down on Protesters

Hundreds were arrested in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Sunday as the government cracked down on opposition protests.

Opposition leaders had planned a large protest to take place today, but police blocked leaders from leaving their homes.

Water cannons and tear gas were used against their supporters who tried to break through police lines, to get to them.

The government also closed down public transportation to make it difficult for people to come in large numbers.

One protester was killed in the clashes with police, on Sunday.

The opposition is demanding that the government step down, accusing them of trying fix elections scheduled for January 5.

US Air Force: Captain David I. Lyon

Captain David I. Lyon, twenty-eight of Sandpoint, Idaho, died on Decmber 27.

He and two other NATO troops were killed when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Lyon was assigned to the 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron out of Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

3 Killed in Clashes in Egypt

Three people were killed in clashes in Egypt.

Protesters demanding that Mohammed Morsi be returned to power clashed with police.

In a dramatic change, the military turned to militia groups and asked them to protect buildings which are often targeted by Islamist groups.

Most of the protesters are supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which was officially listed as a terrorist organization, on Wednesday.

3 NATO Troops Killed in Afghanistan

A suicide bomber struck a military convoy, just outside of Kabul, on Friday.

Three NATO soldiers were killed and six civilians wounded, in the blast.

At this time, NATO has not released the nationality of the soldiers lost.

The Taliban quickly claimed responsibility for the attack, though as usual they exaggerated the destruction it caused.

USMC: Sergeant Daniel M. Vasselian

Sergeant Daniel M. Vasselian, twenty-seven of Abington, Massachusetts, died on December 23.

He was killed during combat in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Vasselian was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.