Women permitted to enlist in combat roles in the American military
On Dec. 3, 2015, American Secretary of Defence Ashton B. Carter announced that women are now permitted to engage in combat roles in the American military. Carter made the announcement at a news conference.
“There will be no exceptions,” said Carter. “[Women will] be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars, and lead infantry soldiers into combat. They’ll be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALS, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force parajumpers and everything else that was previously open only to men.”
According to an article published by the New York Times on Dec. 3, 2015, the new military decision is expected to create approximately 220,000 military jobs for women in America.
“When I became Secretary of Defence, I made a commitment to building America’s force of the future,” said Carter. “In the 21st Century, that requires drawing strength from the broadest pool of talent. This includes women.”
Venezuelans vote against President Nicolas Maduro’s United Social Party
Five hours after polling ended on Dec. 7, 2015, the National Electoral Council of Venezuela announced that the Democratic Unity coalition won 99 of a possible 167 seats in the National Assembly. The coalition stands as Venezuela’s official opposition, and their victory means that President Maduro’s United Social Party (USP) has lost its almost two-decade-long rule.
The USP won 46 seats in the National Assembly, while 22 seats remain contested.
“We have come with our morals and our ethics [intact] to recognize these adverse results, to accept them and to say to our Venezuela that the constitution and democracy have triumphed,” said President Maduro, in a live televised address. “We have lost a battle today, but the struggle to build a new society is just beginning.”
The Democratic Unity coalition is comprised of centrist and conservative parties.
—Compiled by Sameer Chhabra