Baghdad Bureau: Following Iraqi Customs

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Leo. Happy Birthday for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024: You are a leader and others respect you. You’re idealistic, playful and sometimes stubborn. This has been a fun-loving year for you. However, you are headed into a year of work, building and construction, both externally and internally.

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 18, the 353rd day of 2024. There are 13 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 18, 2019, the U. S. House impeached President Donald Trump on two charges, sending his case to the Senate for trial; the articles of impeachment accused him of abusing the power of the presidency to investigate rival Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election and then obstructing Congress’ investigation.

The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere—ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets. For those who would rather have more sunlight, you can try to make your way to the Southern Hemisphere, where it is summer. Or be patient: Starting Sunday, days will get a little bit longer in the Northern Hemisphere every single day until late June. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] These annual changes in sunlight as the Earth revolves around the sun have been well known to humans for centuries.

[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] From public hangings in the town square to lethal injections witnessed by journalists, executions historically have mostly been carried out with at least some public scrutiny. That was not the case in Indiana early Wednesday, when state prison officials announced they had executed Joseph Corcoran without any independent witnesses present. The unusual secrecy is the result of state laws shielding information about the death penalty, and some First Amendment advocates and death penalty experts say the lack of transparency during the gravest of government punishments is alarming. Media witnesses play a crucial role in executions by providing the public with independent, firsthand and factual accounts of an execution, said Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC). “Media ensures government accountability and transparency in an otherwise closed and secretive process,” Maher said.

Thanks to Trump and Leon and the rest of the coming GOP nightmare, you might not be in the holiday spirit this year. Laughter is the best medicine so here are some fun White Elephant gift ideas. You'll be the hit of your holiday party. Solar Queen Waving Queen Elizabeth Remember Queen Elizabeth with a collectible SOLAR QUEEN.

8212; Japanese automakers Nissan Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. confirmed Wednesday that they are discussing closer collaboration but denied reports they have decided on a merger. Nissan’s share price soared more than 22% after reports citing unnamed sources said it might merge with Honda to form the world’s third largest automaking group. Trading in Nissan’s shares was suspended but then resumed after the companies issued a statement that said they were “considering various possibilities for future collaboration, but no decisions have been made.” Honda’s share price sank 2.3%. Nissan has an alliance with Renault SA that is under review.