Moscow Bomb Attack Kills Pro-Kremlin Paramilitary Leader Wanted in Ukraine

A bomb blast in a Moscow residential complex killed Armen Sarkisyan, leader of the pro-Kremlin Arbat Battalion, early Monday. The explosion also killed his bodyguard and injured five others. Russian authorities are investigating, with reports suggesting the attack was planned. Sarkisyan, originally from Armenia, led a paramilitary unit fighting for Russia in Ukraine and was wanted by Ukraine for past violence, The Moscow Times has … Continue reading Moscow Bomb Attack Kills Pro-Kremlin Paramilitary Leader Wanted in Ukraine

Australia braces for more destruction as deadly floods devastate northeast

Record rainfall has triggered deadly floods in North Queensland, with waters rising for a third day on Monday. One woman drowned, and thousands face evacuation as towns like Townsville, Ingham, and Cardwell suffer severe damage. Some areas received a meter of rain in a week, prompting major flood warnings along six rivers. Authorities warn of more heavy storms and even crocodiles in floodwaters, CNN has … Continue reading Australia braces for more destruction as deadly floods devastate northeast

Dozens of earthquakes shake Greek island of Santorini

Santorini experienced a fourth day of seismic activity on Monday, with quakes exceeding magnitude 4 occurring every few minutes. Schools remained closed, and extra flights were arranged to help people leave. Authorities advised residents to stay outdoors as disaster response teams were deployed. Experts predict the tremors will continue for weeks but say they are not linked to recent mild volcanic activity. While locals are … Continue reading Dozens of earthquakes shake Greek island of Santorini

Teenage girl killed in shark attack in Australia

A 17-year-old girl died after a shark attack at Woorim Beach, Queensland, on Monday. She was bitten on the arm about 100m from shore while swimming off Bribie Island. Paramedics responded to the incident, but she succumbed to life-threatening injuries shortly after. The area, a popular surfing spot, has shark protection measures, but attacks close to shore remain rare. Authorities have not identified the shark … Continue reading Teenage girl killed in shark attack in Australia

Chinese astronauts make rocket fuel and oxygen in space using 1st-of-its-kind ‘artificial photosynthesis’

Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station have successfully created rocket fuel and oxygen using a new “artificial photosynthesis” technology. The breakthrough, which uses basic equipment and minimal energy, converts carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and rocket fuel ingredients, such as ethylene. This technology, under development since 2015, mimics plant photosynthesis and could support China’s future moon base. It is more energy-efficient than the … Continue reading Chinese astronauts make rocket fuel and oxygen in space using 1st-of-its-kind ‘artificial photosynthesis’

Europe awards $900 million contract for Argonaut lunar lander development

Thales Alenia Space announced a nearly $900 million contract on January 30 to develop the Lunar Descent Element (LDE) for the European Space Agency’s Argonaut, a cargo lander for lunar missions starting in the 2030s. The LDE will transport and land payloads on the Moon, with an adaptable interface to support various cargo. Argonaut’s first mission will deliver navigation, telecommunications, and energy systems for European … Continue reading Europe awards $900 million contract for Argonaut lunar lander development

NASA’s 2 stuck astronauts take their first spacewalk together

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore completed their first spacewalk together on Thursday, almost eight months after arriving at the International Space Station. They removed a broken antenna and wiped the station’s exterior for potential microbes. After some difficulty, the antenna was removed nearly four hours later. During the spacewalk, Williams set a new record for the most time spent spacewalking by a female … Continue reading NASA’s 2 stuck astronauts take their first spacewalk together

Chinese start-up Unitree sees humanoid robots in wide commercial use this decade

Chinese start-up Unitree, known for its quadruped robot dogs, is now focusing on humanoid robots, forecasting significant advancements in AI and robot capabilities by 2026. This week, the company showcased 16 humanoid robots performing Chinese folk dance at the Spring Festival Gala, marking the world’s first large-scale, fully AI-driven humanoid robot performance. Unitree has been testing its humanoid robots in Chinese EV factories and major … Continue reading Chinese start-up Unitree sees humanoid robots in wide commercial use this decade

US robot gets capability to jam signals and neutralize drones from miles away

L3Harris has upgraded its T7 robot with advanced electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, enhancing its battlefield effectiveness by detecting and disrupting enemy communications and radar from miles away. Successfully tested during a U.S. Army exercise, the T7 demonstrated its ability to neutralize small drones and operate remotely. The EW system, which can be turned on or off to minimize detection, allows the T7 to quickly reposition. … Continue reading US robot gets capability to jam signals and neutralize drones from miles away

Panama’s president says there will be no negotiation about ownership of canal

Panama President José Raúl Mulino stated there will be no negotiations with the U.S. over ownership of the Panama Canal, emphasizing that it belongs to Panama. He downplayed tensions regarding U.S. President Trump’s past remarks about retaking the canal, clarifying that while China manages some canal ports, Panama controls the waterway. Mulino expressed hope that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit would focus on … Continue reading Panama’s president says there will be no negotiation about ownership of canal

Trump Admin Moves To Toss Out Biden’s Fuel Economy Rules

Newly-confirmed Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is moving to reverse the Biden administration’s fuel economy standards. Duffy signed a memorandum to reset the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which were strengthened by the Biden administration in June 2024 to increase fuel economy by 2% annually for passenger vehicles and light trucks. Duffy criticized the standards, claiming they harmed America’s auto industry and led … Continue reading Trump Admin Moves To Toss Out Biden’s Fuel Economy Rules

Rubio on buying Greenland: ‘This is not a joke’

Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed President Trump’s serious interest in acquiring Greenland, emphasizing national security concerns due to China’s growing interest in the Arctic. Rubio explained that the U.S. would benefit from controlling Greenland, especially given China’s potential to build facilities there for military purposes. While Trump has expressed interest in purchasing the island, Greenlandic leaders reject the idea, wanting to remain independent. Despite … Continue reading Rubio on buying Greenland: ‘This is not a joke’

Norway eurosceptics collapse coalition government over green energy row

Norway’s government collapsed on Thursday after the eurosceptic Centre party withdrew from the ruling coalition over disagreements about EU green energy laws. Centre party leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum opposed three EU directives on renewable energy, citing concerns over Norway’s electricity policy and sovereignty. With the Centre party’s exit, the centre-left Labour party will govern alone for the first time in 25 years. While Prime Minister … Continue reading Norway eurosceptics collapse coalition government over green energy row

FDA upgrades recall of Lay’s potato chips to most serious level

The FDA has upgraded a December recall of Lay’s potato chips to its highest risk level, “Class I.” Originally affecting over 6,000 bags of 13 oz. classic chips in Washington and Oregon, the recall was prompted by the presence of undeclared milk, which poses a serious risk to individuals with severe allergies. The upgraded recall now warns that exposure to the product could cause serious … Continue reading FDA upgrades recall of Lay’s potato chips to most serious level

Trump threatens BRICS with tariffs if they replace US dollar

President Donald Trump threatened BRICS member states with 100% tariffs if they attempt to replace the US dollar as the global reserve currency. He emphasized that countries in the bloc, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, must commit to not creating a new currency or backing an alternative to the US dollar. Trump reiterated this position on his social media platform, calling any … Continue reading Trump threatens BRICS with tariffs if they replace US dollar

Senior FBI leaders ordered to retire, resign or be fired by Monday

Several top FBI executives promoted by former Director Christopher Wray were told to resign or retire, with threats of demotion or reassignment if they don’t leave. The purge includes senior officials overseeing criminal, national security, and cyber investigations. The FBI has declined to comment on the moves, which come amid a broader wave of terminations in the Trump administration, NBC News has reported. Trump has … Continue reading Senior FBI leaders ordered to retire, resign or be fired by Monday

Trump-Allied FCC Chairman Opens Investigations Into NPR And PBS

The new head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Chairman Brendan Carr, has ordered an investigation into NPR and PBS over concerns that they may be violating federal laws by airing commercial-like underwriting announcements. Public broadcasting stations, which the FCC regulates, are prohibited from airing commercials. NPR and PBS executives deny the allegations, asserting that they adhere to FCC guidelines and maintain noncommercial educational programming, … Continue reading Trump-Allied FCC Chairman Opens Investigations Into NPR And PBS

Honolulu police have arrested 6 people in connection with deadly New Year’s fireworks blast

Six people were arrested in connection with a deadly explosion of illegal fireworks in Honolulu on New Year’s Eve. The explosion killed three women, a man, and a 3-year-old boy, injuring about 20 others. Police confiscated 500 pounds of unused fireworks from the scene. The suspects face charges of reckless endangering, child welfare violations, and fireworks offenses. Investigators are looking into the source of the … Continue reading Honolulu police have arrested 6 people in connection with deadly New Year’s fireworks blast

Tour boat captain gets prison after boat capsizes off NYC, killing woman and child

Richard Cruz, captain of an unauthorized tour boat that capsized in the Hudson River in 2022, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to boating misconduct and neglect. Cruz admitted to overloading his boat, Stimulus Money, and lacking the necessary Coast Guard credentials.  The capsizing killed a 48-year-old woman and a 7-year-old child. Cruz was also ordered to pay $50,000 for the victims’ … Continue reading Tour boat captain gets prison after boat capsizes off NYC, killing woman and child

Prosecutors add 2 more alleged victims to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs federal indictment

Sean “Diddy” Combs faces new allegations in an expanded indictment, which accuses him of dangling a victim over an apartment balcony and coercing two women into commercial sex acts. The indictment adds two more victims to the charges of transportation for prostitution, while expanding on the timeline and methods of his alleged crimes, which date back to 2004. The new filing also includes additional charges … Continue reading Prosecutors add 2 more alleged victims to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs federal indictment

Fighter jets scrambled from Alaska and Canada as Russian warplanes spotted in the Arctic

American and Canadian fighter jets were deployed this week to monitor Russian warplanes spotted in the Arctic, though the planes remained in international airspace and were not deemed a threat. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) sent out eight military aircraft, including Canadian CF-18s, U.S. F-35s, and refueling planes, along with an E-3 AWAC to track the activity. The Arctic has become an increasingly … Continue reading Fighter jets scrambled from Alaska and Canada as Russian warplanes spotted in the Arctic

DC plane crash black boxes found as staff shortage claims examined

The black boxes from the plane and helicopter that collided above Washington DC have been recovered as investigations continue into the cause of the crash, which likely killed all 67 people on board. One air traffic controller was managing both aircraft at the time, raising concerns about staffing shortages at the highly controlled Reagan Washington National Airport. While this staffing setup didn’t breach guidelines, it … Continue reading DC plane crash black boxes found as staff shortage claims examined

France hands over last military base in Chad

France officially handed over its last military base in Chad to local authorities on Thursday, marking the end of its military presence in the country after Chad broke its defense cooperation agreement with Paris two months ago. This follows similar withdrawals of French forces from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, where countries have shifted closer to Moscow. Chad’s army confirmed the transfer of the Sergent … Continue reading France hands over last military base in Chad

Fears grow in Japan for truck driver trapped in sinkhole for third day

A 74-year-old truck driver has been trapped in a sinkhole in Japan for three days, with rescue efforts complicated by the expanding hole and leaking water and gas pipes. The sinkhole, which formed on Tuesday near Tokyo, swallowed the driver and his two-ton truck. A 30-meter ramp is being constructed to reach him, but the operation is slow due to dangerous conditions and erosion. The … Continue reading Fears grow in Japan for truck driver trapped in sinkhole for third day

New Zealand’s Mount Taranaki is now legally a person

Mount Taranaki, an 8,261-foot stratovolcano in New Zealand, has been recognized as a legal person, granting it the rights, duties, and responsibilities of an individual. Known as Taranaki Maunga in Māori, the mountain is now considered a “living and indivisible whole,” including its physical and spiritual elements. This move, following similar legal recognitions of a sacred forest and a river, transfers ownership from the government … Continue reading New Zealand’s Mount Taranaki is now legally a person