Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell petitions to vacate sex crime conviction

Ghislaine Maxwell filed a habeas petition in Manhattan federal court seeking to overturn her conviction for aiding Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls, citing “substantial new evidence.” The former socialite, serving a 20-year sentence in Texas, is representing herself in the petition, a long-shot move as such filings are rarely granted. Maxwell claims a juror concealed a history of sexual abuse during jury selection, … Continue reading Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell petitions to vacate sex crime conviction

Fani Willis defends Trump prosecution at contentious Georgia hearing

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testified before a Georgia state senate committee on her prosecution of Donald Trump for election interference, responding to a inquiry into her personal relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The committee initially investigated potential financial improprieties but expanded its focus to alleged coordination with the January 6 committee using federal grant money. Willis defended her actions, citing threats and … Continue reading Fani Willis defends Trump prosecution at contentious Georgia hearing

Australia announces tougher hate speech laws following Bondi massacre

Australia is introducing tougher hate speech laws following the Bondi Beach terror attack, where Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, targeted Hanukkah celebrations, killing 15 people. Naveed Akram faces 59 charges, including murder and firearms offences, while Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. The new measures include harsher penalties for promoting violence, a specific hate-speech offence for leaders, and powers … Continue reading Australia announces tougher hate speech laws following Bondi massacre

Saturn’s largest moon contains slushy ice layers but habitable zones might exist

New research suggests Saturn’s moon Titan has slushy ice layers rather than a vast underground ocean, challenging a decade-old theory. NASA scientists reanalyzed Cassini data and found pockets of liquid water could exist within these ice layers, potentially supporting microscopic life. Titan’s surface contains liquid methane lakes, but the ice pockets could reach temperatures around 21°C, offering more concentrated nutrients than a large ocean. Researchers … Continue reading Saturn’s largest moon contains slushy ice layers but habitable zones might exist

Rocket Lab launches 4 experimental ‘DiskSats’ for the US military

Rocket Lab successfully launched four new “DiskSats” for the U.S. Space Force early Thursday morning from Wallops Island, Virginia, on an Electron rocket. The mission, dubbed “Don’t Be Such a Square,” marked the first deployment of DiskSats, a thin, 40-inch-wide spacecraft developed by The Aerospace Corporation with NASA funding. DiskSats’ unique flat design offers more power and surface area for instruments, and could enable very-low-altitude … Continue reading Rocket Lab launches 4 experimental ‘DiskSats’ for the US military

Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman is confirmed as new NASA chief

Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman was confirmed by the Senate as NASA’s new head, ending a year-long nomination saga. Initially nominated by President-elect Donald Trump in December 2024, his nomination was withdrawn five months later due to a review of prior associations, then renominated in November. Isaacman’s confirmation comes at a critical time as NASA faces budget and staffing challenges from previous federal cuts. The Senate … Continue reading Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman is confirmed as new NASA chief

China’s humanoid robot makers ramp up production despite tech hurdles

Chinese companies are rapidly advancing in humanoid robotics, targeting applications from entertainment to retail and smart manufacturing, though high costs and technical challenges remain. Shanghai-based Agibot, backed by Tencent, BYD, and Baidu, has produced 5,000 humanoid robots since 2023 and aims to develop robots with “general intelligence” capable of multiple tasks, including dancing, factory work, and potentially household chores. Beijing-based Galbot is taking a more … Continue reading China’s humanoid robot makers ramp up production despite tech hurdles

Former executives of bankrupt auto dealer Tricolor indicted on fraud charges

Federal prosecutors have indicted four former executives of bankrupt subprime auto dealer Tricolor, accusing them of running a multiyear “systemic fraud” scheme. Founder Daniel Chu, former COO David Goodgame, and executives Jerome Kollar and Ameryn Seibold were charged with defrauding lenders, including “double-pledging” assets to secure multiple loans. Kollar and Seibold have already pleaded guilty and are cooperating with authorities. The bankruptcy affected major banks … Continue reading Former executives of bankrupt auto dealer Tricolor indicted on fraud charges

Bank of England expected to announce pre-Christmas interest rate cut

Economists expect the Bank of England to cut interest rates to 3.75% from 4% this Thursday, following a drop in inflation to an eight-month low. November’s Consumer Prices Index fell to 3.2% from 3.6% in October, driven by easing food, drink, alcohol, and tobacco prices. The rate cut would mark the lowest borrowing cost since February 2023 and is seen as a response to cooling … Continue reading Bank of England expected to announce pre-Christmas interest rate cut

BP names new CEO — its fourth in 6 years

British oil giant BP has named Woodside Energy CEO Meg O’Neill as its next chief executive, replacing Murray Auchincloss, who steps down today. Carol Howle, BP’s executive VP for supply, trading, and shipping, will serve as interim CEO until O’Neill takes over on April 1, marking BP’s fourth CEO in six years. Auchloss, who became CEO in January 2024, shifted BP’s focus back to core … Continue reading BP names new CEO — its fourth in 6 years

Nebraska plans to be the first state to implement Trump’s new Medicaid work requirements

Nebraska will become the first state to impose work requirements on some Medicaid recipients under a law signed by President Trump last year, starting May 1. About 30,000 people in the Medicaid expansion group, with slightly higher incomes, will need to work or perform community service 80 hours per month, or be enrolled in school at least half-time, to maintain coverage. Certain groups—such as disabled … Continue reading Nebraska plans to be the first state to implement Trump’s new Medicaid work requirements

Pre-emptive power outages in Colorado due to wind get credit and criticism

Thousands of Colorado customers remained without power Wednesday night due to a combination of high winds and a planned safety shutdown by Xcel Energy. Crews spent the day inspecting power lines for damage from fallen trees and snapped poles, a process that can delay restoration until winds subside and daylight allows for drone or helicopter checks. Outages affected homes, businesses, and traffic signals across parts … Continue reading Pre-emptive power outages in Colorado due to wind get credit and criticism

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says he will step down in January

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced he will step down from the bureau in January, thanking President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve. Bongino was an unconventional choice for the role, as neither he nor Patel had prior FBI experience, and he was better known as a pro-Trump podcaster and former law enforcement officer. His tenure … Continue reading FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says he will step down in January

US approves $11bn in arms sales to Taiwan in deal likely to anger China

The United States approved an $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, one of its largest ever, including HIMARS rocket systems, long-range missiles, artillery, drones, and military software. U.S. officials said the package supports Taiwan’s efforts to modernize its forces and maintain a credible defensive capability. Taiwan welcomed the deal, calling it essential to strengthening deterrence and national defense. China strongly criticized the move, urging Washington … Continue reading US approves $11bn in arms sales to Taiwan in deal likely to anger China

Police ask for patience in search for Brown University gunman

Five days after a deadly shooting at Brown University that killed two people and injured nine, authorities have not identified a suspect, keeping the campus community on edge. Investigators released new images of a person they want to question, believed to be near the primary person of interest seen on surveillance footage before the attack. Police say the individual appeared to be casing the area … Continue reading Police ask for patience in search for Brown University gunman

Trump tells America the economy is strong, blames Biden for nation’s struggles

President Donald Trump used a prime-time White House address to promise lower prices, defend his economic record, and blame inflation and high costs on former President Joe Biden as frustration grows ahead of the midterm elections. Despite claiming major progress and forecasting an economic boom, Trump faces low approval ratings on the economy, with polls showing widespread affordability concerns among Americans. Economists warn that job … Continue reading Trump tells America the economy is strong, blames Biden for nation’s struggles

Rob Reiner’s son Nick makes 1st court appearance after being charged with murder

Nick Reiner made his first court appearance Wednesday after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. He did not enter a plea, and his arraignment was continued until Jan. 7. The couple, aged 78 and 68, were found dead Sunday in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home, with the preliminary cause of death … Continue reading Rob Reiner’s son Nick makes 1st court appearance after being charged with murder

Naveed Akram charged with 15 counts of murder over Bondi shooting

Naveed Akram, the sole surviving suspect in Sunday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, has been charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act. The attack, targeting Australia’s Jewish community during a Hanukkah celebration, left 15 people dead and dozens injured, making it the country’s deadliest shooting since 1996. Akram’s father, Sajid Akram, was killed in a … Continue reading Naveed Akram charged with 15 counts of murder over Bondi shooting

Senate passes $901 billion defense bill that pushes Hegseth for boat strike video

The Senate passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act, authorizing $901 billion in defense spending and a 3.8% pay raise for troops, while demanding more Pentagon transparency on strikes against alleged drug boats near Venezuela. The 3,000-page bill balances bipartisan priorities, maintaining U.S. troop levels in Europe, providing military aid to Ukraine, and implementing Trump administration policies on military diversity and border powers. It also … Continue reading Senate passes $901 billion defense bill that pushes Hegseth for boat strike video

Venezuelan Navy Escorts Vessels After Blockade Threat

Venezuela has deployed its Navy to escort ships carrying petroleum products from its ports, heightening tensions with the U.S. after President Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” targeting sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers. Several vessels transporting urea, petroleum coke, and other oil-based products departed the Port of José for Asia under military escort, responding to Trump’s blockade threats. The escorted ships do not appear on … Continue reading Venezuelan Navy Escorts Vessels After Blockade Threat

FTX insider Caroline Ellison has been quietly moved out of prison

Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research and ex-girlfriend of Sam Bankman-Fried, has been moved from federal prison to community confinement after serving about 11 months of her two-year sentence. The Bureau of Prisons confirmed she was transferred in October from a low-security prison in Connecticut to either home confinement or a halfway house, though details were not disclosed. Ellison pleaded guilty to conspiring in … Continue reading FTX insider Caroline Ellison has been quietly moved out of prison

4 Republicans revolt, force vote on Obamacare funding

Four House Republicans broke with party leadership to join Democrats on a discharge petition, securing the 218 signatures needed to force a vote on a three-year extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire Dec. 31. If the subsidies lapse, insurance premiums are expected to double on average for about 22 million people who rely on Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage. The move highlights divisions … Continue reading 4 Republicans revolt, force vote on Obamacare funding

Israel examining possibility Iran involved in murder of MIT nuclear scientist in US

Israeli officials are reviewing unverified intelligence suggesting a possible Iranian connection to the killing of Prof. Nuno Loureiro, a senior MIT nuclear scientist who was shot and killed at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts. U.S. authorities have not confirmed any such link and say the investigation remains open, with no suspects, motive, or signs of forced entry identified so far. Loureiro, a 47-year-old Portuguese-born expert … Continue reading Israel examining possibility Iran involved in murder of MIT nuclear scientist in US

Jack Smith tells lawmakers his team developed ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt’ against Trump

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers in a closed-door interview that his team developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Donald Trump criminally conspired to overturn the 2020 election. Smith also said investigators gathered strong evidence that Trump illegally retained classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and obstructed efforts to recover them. He emphasized that his decisions were based solely on facts and … Continue reading Jack Smith tells lawmakers his team developed ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt’ against Trump

Senators Press FBI Over Failure to Investigate Epstein’s Lawyer and Accountant

A group of Democratic senators is pressing the Justice Department to explain why federal investigators never interviewed Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime lawyer, Darren Indyke, or his in-house accountant, Richard Kahn, during probes of his sex-trafficking operation. Both men were senior officers in Epstein-controlled entities that handled finances, cash payments, and transactions later linked to the scheme, according to The Wall Street Journal. Despite their close and … Continue reading Senators Press FBI Over Failure to Investigate Epstein’s Lawyer and Accountant