## Tears of joy and sadness as ‘disappeared’ Syrians emerge from Assad’s prisons

Authored by theguardian.com

Many emerged frail and emaciated into the bright December sunlight, greeted by weeping family members who had no idea they were still alive.

Verified videos from Damascus showed dozens of women and small children being held in cells, the rebels opening the doors telling them not to be afraid.

There are conflicting reports of underground cell blocks yet to be reached.

One shaven-headed, shaking man in Sednaya had been so ill-treated he had lost his memory and struggled to talk.

Many Syrians were over the years brusquely informed by authorities that their relatives had been executed, sometimes years earlier.

For many, there is still an agonising wait, hoping against the odds that loved ones will be found alive.

“Some of them have a small hope, a window of hope, that their children will be alive. »

### Trump Vows to Deport U.S. Citizens in New Immigration Policy

Authored by thedailybeast.com

President-elect Donald Trump promised on Sunday to deport U.S. citizens as part of his quest to expel all undocumented immigrants, describing them as collateral in his sweeping immigration plans.

Trump told Meet the Press‘ Kristen Welker that he wanted to avoid the family separation scandal that plagued his first administration.

Trump appeared to acknowledge the policy will prove to be unpopular, but he claimed it was necessary to ensure laws were followed. »

### V.A. Officials Resign After Breitbart Report of Staff Orgy at Tennessee Veterans Hospital

Authored by shorenewsnetwork.com

A bargaining unit biomedical employee at the facility has been accused of engaging in sexual relationships with at least 32 female colleagues, congressional investigators told Breitbart News.

The resignations come as pressure mounts on the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the allegations and hold those involved accountable.

The investigation remains ongoing, with federal officials declining to comment further on specific personnel actions or the scope of the misconduct. »

### Jay-Z accused in a civil lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 along with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

Authored by nbcnews.com

Jay-Z, the star rapper and entrepreneur whose real name is Shawn Carter, was accused in a lawsuit Sunday of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 allegedly along with Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The federal lawsuit was originally filed in October in the Southern District of New York, listing Combs as a defendant. »

### Sanders Explains Why He's Voting Against the New $850 Billion Pentagon Budget

Authored by commondreams.org

The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."

One analysis estimates that over 50% of the Pentagon's annual budget, the subject of aggressive industry lobbying, goes to private contractors.

The NDAA could have some trouble getting through the divided Congress—but not because of the proposed size of the Pentagon budget. »

## In pictures

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