Scholz condemns Musk’s support for Germany’s AfD party

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned Elon Musk’s endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the country’s February elections, accusing the billionaire of election interference. Musk, who owns the social media platform X, has publicly supported AfD, claiming it is the only party that can save Germany. Scholz rejected Musk’s political influence, particularly given the global reach of social media and algorithms … Continue reading Scholz condemns Musk’s support for Germany’s AfD party

Americans gather to say goodbye to Jimmy Carter

Americans are paying tribute to former President Jimmy Carter during his week-long state funeral. The public farewell began with a procession from his home in Plains, Georgia, and will continue with visits to Washington, D.C., where Carter will lie in state before a service on January 9. Mourners, including admirers from across the U.S., reflect on Carter’s kindness, humility, and humanitarian efforts. His legacy is … Continue reading Americans gather to say goodbye to Jimmy Carter

US newspapers are deleting old crime stories

Civil rights advocates have long fought to remove criminal records, but many people’s lives continue to be affected by old media coverage of minor offenses. Some news outlets have launched programs to remove or deindex these stories to help individuals move on. For example, Cleveland.com’s Chris Quinn pioneered a “right-to-be-forgotten” initiative, reviewing old stories to remove names in cases of minor crimes. This effort has … Continue reading US newspapers are deleting old crime stories

Virginia man arrested with homemade explosives in car on New Year’s Day, police say

A Virginia man, Alexander Sweetman, 19, was arrested on New Year’s Day after fleeing from police and being found in a car containing items resembling homemade explosives. Police had received reports of a suspicious vehicle and located Sweetman at a 7-Eleven, where he was apprehended. A search of the car, which Sweetman did not own, revealed burglary tools and possible explosives.  Authorities, including the bomb … Continue reading Virginia man arrested with homemade explosives in car on New Year’s Day, police say

3 arrested in connection with good Samaritan’s killing in Arizona

Three people, including a 16-year-old, were arrested in connection with the death of Paul Clifford, a 53-year-old good Samaritan in Arizona. Clifford was found dead near a burned car northeast of Tucson after leaving home on December 23 to help someone with a stranded vehicle. The suspects, Jack Upchurch, 40, Elmer Smith, 19, and the minor, face charges including first-degree murder, armed robbery, and arson. … Continue reading 3 arrested in connection with good Samaritan’s killing in Arizona

1 person killed in large avalanche in western Wyoming backcountry

An avalanche in western Wyoming killed 36-year-old skier Kenneth Goff and injured another after their group triggered the slide while ascending a 10,400-foot slope east of Grand Teton National Park. The avalanche buried Goff completely and partially buried a second skier, who suffered leg injuries. Stormy weather delayed rescue efforts, with rescuers taking nearly four hours to reach the site by skis, the Associated Press … Continue reading 1 person killed in large avalanche in western Wyoming backcountry

Orleans Parish prosecutor dies by suicide in office

Assistant District Attorney Ian Kersting, a prosecutor specializing in sexual assault cases, died by suicide Saturday night inside the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office. Kersting, 34, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. Admitted to the Louisiana bar in 2020, he worked in the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) unit, focusing on sex crimes investigations using … Continue reading Orleans Parish prosecutor dies by suicide in office

New Orleans Fire Department responds to two partial building collapses

The New Orleans Fire Department responded to two partial building collapses. The first occurred at a commercial building under renovation on Decatur Street, where a trash chute detached, causing part of a second-floor balcony to fall. The street remains temporarily closed for safety assessments. The second collapse happened at a deteriorating home on Frenchman Street, where an exterior wall fell onto a neighboring property. Three … Continue reading New Orleans Fire Department responds to two partial building collapses

Hamas approves Israeli list of hostages for potential exchange

Hamas has reportedly approved an Israeli list of 34 hostages for a potential ceasefire deal, contingent on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire, according to a Hamas official cited by Reuters. Israel denied receiving such a list but did not directly refute the report’s details. Indirect ceasefire negotiations are ongoing in Doha, involving US and Israeli officials. Meanwhile, Hamas has increased pressure by releasing … Continue reading Hamas approves Israeli list of hostages for potential exchange

Taiwan suspects China of latest attack on undersea cables

Taiwan suspects China was behind the cutting of an undersea telecom cable early Friday. The cargo ship Shunxin-39, flagged in Cameroon but linked to a Chinese-owned Hong Kong company, was intercepted by Taiwan’s coast guard but escaped due to rough seas. Despite the damage, Chunghwa Telecom rerouted traffic, ensuring uninterrupted service on the $500 million Trans-Pacific Express cable. Taiwan has faced repeated cable disruptions in recent … Continue reading Taiwan suspects China of latest attack on undersea cables

Rwanda-backed rebels seize key town in DR Congo

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured Masisi, their second town in two days, in DR Congo’s North Kivu province, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. The group, active since 2021, controls large areas in the mineral-rich east, displacing hundreds of thousands. Mediation efforts by Angola between DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame collapsed last month. While the Congolese government remains silent on the … Continue reading Rwanda-backed rebels seize key town in DR Congo

Guatemalan and Salvadoran forces arrive in Haiti to join fight against violent gangs

Guatemalan and Salvadoran security forces arrived in Haiti to join the US- and UN-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, aimed at combating the country’s escalating gang violence. High-ranking Haitian officials, including Transitional Council leader Leslie Voltaire and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, welcomed the troops in Port-au-Prince. Despite the MSS mission, led by Kenyan police, ongoing violence persists, with incidents targeting US Embassy vehicles and … Continue reading Guatemalan and Salvadoran forces arrive in Haiti to join fight against violent gangs

Ukraine presses attacks in Russia’s Kursk region

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to urge allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses at a Ramstein group meeting in Germany this week, attended by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Biden administration aims to deliver maximum military aid to Ukraine before Trump’s potential return to office, raising concerns about continued U.S. support. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces reportedly inflicted heavy losses on Russian and North Korean troops … Continue reading Ukraine presses attacks in Russia’s Kursk region

India eyes record year for space with 10 planned launches

India’s space agency, ISRO, plans 10 orbital launches in 2025, including its first commercial launch. Highlights include four GSLV missions, a human-rated LVM-3 for the Gaganyaan spaceflight program, and a joint Earth science mission with NASA, NISAR, launching in March. The Gaganyaan program’s G1 mission is slated for March, with two additional test flights (G2 and G3) before the crewed mission in 2026. ISRO also … Continue reading India eyes record year for space with 10 planned launches

NASA sees strong support for strategy to maintain continuous human presence in LEO

NASA’s Deputy Administrator, Pam Melroy, confirmed near unanimous support for the agency’s “continuous heartbeat” strategy, which aims to maintain a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit (LEO) during the transition from the International Space Station (ISS) to commercial space stations. The strategy, finalized in December, was favored by international partners and the industry, despite some concerns from commercial companies about NASA’s pace in transitioning … Continue reading NASA sees strong support for strategy to maintain continuous human presence in LEO

SpaceX launches 1st Falcon 9 rocket of 2025

SpaceX launched its first Falcon 9 rocket of 2025 on January 3, sending the Thuraya 4 satellite into geosynchronous orbit. The mission, launched from Cape Canaveral, marks the 20th flight and recovery of the Falcon 9 booster, which successfully landed on SpaceX’s droneship. The Thuraya 4 satellite, operated by Space42 and built by Airbus, will provide mobile communications across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, … Continue reading SpaceX launches 1st Falcon 9 rocket of 2025

Treasury yields rise as investors weigh economic outlook for 2025

U.S. Treasury yields rose on Friday as investors assessed the economic outlook for the new year. The 10-year Treasury yield increased to 4.6%, while the 2-year yield rose to 4.281%, though both were down for the week. Economic data showed mixed signals, with December’s ISM manufacturing PMI slightly above expectations but still below expansion levels. Meanwhile, jobless claims decreased more than expected, indicating a cooling … Continue reading Treasury yields rise as investors weigh economic outlook for 2025

JetBlue fined $2 million by DOT for ‘chronically delayed flights’

The Department of Transportation (DOT) fined JetBlue Airways $2 million for chronically delayed flights, marking the first penalty of its kind. From June 2022 to November 2023, JetBlue’s flights on four routes were delayed at least 145 times. The airline was responsible for over 70% of these disruptions. DOT officials stated that JetBlue failed to adjust flight schedules to avoid unrealistic timings, with delays over … Continue reading JetBlue fined $2 million by DOT for ‘chronically delayed flights’

Biden blocks Japan’s Nippon Steel from buying US Steel

President Joe Biden blocked the $14.9 billion takeover of US Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns and the importance of maintaining a strong, domestically owned steel industry. The decision follows opposition from the United Steelworkers union and political pressures ahead of the 2024 election. Both companies criticized the move, claiming it was politically motivated and could deter foreign investment in the US. … Continue reading Biden blocks Japan’s Nippon Steel from buying US Steel

German, French foreign ministers meet Syria’s new leaders

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that Europe would support Syria’s transitional government if political talks are inclusive of all ethnic and religious groups. Baerbock and France’s Jean-Noel Barrot became the first EU ministers to visit Syria since President Bashar Assad’s fall. After meeting Syria’s de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, Baerbock emphasized that lifting EU sanctions depends on the progress of the political process and … Continue reading German, French foreign ministers meet Syria’s new leaders

Thailand’s prime minister declares over $400 million in assets

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared over $400 million in assets, including more than 200 designer handbags worth over $2 million and 75 luxury watches valued at nearly $5 million. The 38-year-old, daughter of telecom billionaire and former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, took office in September, becoming Thailand’s youngest leader. Her asset declaration to the National Anti-Corruption Commission included investments, cash, and properties in London and … Continue reading Thailand’s prime minister declares over $400 million in assets

Trump to be sentenced days before inauguration, won’t face jail time in shock decision by judge

A sentencing date for Donald Trump’s hush money conviction has been set for January 10, just 10 days before his inauguration as president. Judge Juan Merchan ruled that Trump must appear in person or virtually, rejecting Trump’s motions against sentencing. Merchan stated there was no legal reason to delay the process and emphasized that finality was necessary for justice. Trump is not expected to face … Continue reading Trump to be sentenced days before inauguration, won’t face jail time in shock decision by judge

Greenland leader now wants independence from Denmark

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has reiterated his call for independence from Denmark, stressing the need for Greenland to shape its own future, including choosing trade partners and international cooperation. This comes after Donald Trump suggested the U.S. could acquire Greenland, which was a Danish colony until 1953. Greenland established an independent parliament in 1979, but Denmark still controls its foreign and defense policies. Calls … Continue reading Greenland leader now wants independence from Denmark

Mike Johnson secures US House speakership after facing internal dissent

Mike Johnson, endorsed by Trump, secured the House speakership on Friday in the first round of voting after overcoming initial dissent. Although three Republicans initially voted for other candidates, they later switched to Johnson, giving him the necessary 218 votes. All Democrats supported Hakeem Jeffries. Johnson made last-minute commitments on fiscal reform and government oversight to secure GOP backing, particularly from members concerned about budget … Continue reading Mike Johnson secures US House speakership after facing internal dissent

Ex-deputies in Virginia are charged with murder over inmate’s death while restrained

Three former Virginia sheriff’s deputies have been charged with second-degree murder following the death of 34-year-old Rolin Hill, who was restrained at a local jail in June. A grand jury indicted the deputies after reviewing evidence. Hill was arrested on trespassing and disorderly conduct charges and died from asphyxia due to restraint. The deputies involved, Eric Baptiste, Michael Kidd, and Kevin Wilson, were fired after … Continue reading Ex-deputies in Virginia are charged with murder over inmate’s death while restrained