Iran declares ‘total war’ on America, Israel and Europe

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran is in a state of “total war” with the United States, Israel, and Europe, accusing Western powers of trying to bring the country “to its knees.” He claimed Iran’s military is stronger now than before Israel’s June strikes, which sparked a 12-day conflict involving US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Pezeshkian compared the current situation to the … Continue reading Iran declares ‘total war’ on America, Israel and Europe

Gas prices fall to four-year lows as millions embark on holiday road trips

Holiday travelers in the U.S. are seeing lower gas prices this December, with the national average below $3 a gallon for most of the month — the lowest since 2021, according to AAA. Fuel costs are down about 7% from last month and nearly 43% from mid-2022 highs of around $5 per gallon. AAA expects a record 122 million Americans to travel at least 50 … Continue reading Gas prices fall to four-year lows as millions embark on holiday road trips

U.S. regulators approve Wegovy pill for weight loss

The FDA has approved the first daily oral version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, giving Novo Nordisk an edge over rival Eli Lilly, whose oral obesity drug orforglipron is still under review. Both pills are GLP-1 drugs that mimic a hormone controlling appetite, similar to popular injectables like Wegovy and Lilly’s Zepbound, which have transformed obesity treatment for millions of Americans. Clinical trials showed … Continue reading U.S. regulators approve Wegovy pill for weight loss

U.S. economy grows by 4.3% in third quarter, much more than expected

The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 4.3% in the third quarter, exceeding expectations of 3.2%, according to a delayed Commerce Department report. Strong consumer spending, which rose 3.5%, along with increased exports and government spending, drove the growth, while private fixed investment dipped only slightly. Inflation remained elevated, with the Fed’s preferred personal consumption expenditures index up 2.8% and core PCE at … Continue reading U.S. economy grows by 4.3% in third quarter, much more than expected

Judge revokes conditional release for ‘Slender Man’ stabber after runaway attempt

Morgan Geyser, 23, who stabbed her sixth-grade classmate Payton Leutner in 2014 to appease the fictional character “Slender Man,” is returning to institutionalized care after running away from a Wisconsin group home last month. Geyser cut off her ankle monitor on Nov. 22 and was found roughly 24 hours later in Illinois with her friend Chad Mecca, who she had developed a close bond with … Continue reading Judge revokes conditional release for ‘Slender Man’ stabber after runaway attempt

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, daughter open luxury resort

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae inaugurated a new luxury resort in Samjiyon, a northern city near China. The resort features five hotels with amenities such as barbecue restaurants, hot tubs, and leisure spaces, which state media hailed as proof of citizens’ rising status. Kim personally inspected the facilities, including testing the firmness of the beds, while promoting the project … Continue reading North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, daughter open luxury resort

Nigerians welcome 130 schoolchildren and teachers released after mass abduction

Nigerians saw the release of 130 children and teachers on Monday, a month after they were abducted from a Catholic school in Papiri, Niger state. Some of the children appeared malnourished or in shock as authorities prepared to reunite them with their families before Christmas. Initially, reports said 303 students and 12 teachers were seized, with 50 escaping, but officials later clarified that 230 had … Continue reading Nigerians welcome 130 schoolchildren and teachers released after mass abduction

Yemen’s sides agree to release 2,900 detainees in war’s largest exchange

Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Iran-backed Houthi rebels have agreed to release 2,900 detainees in the largest prisoner swap of the 11-year civil war. The deal, brokered in Muscat with the UN Special Envoy and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), includes Yemenis as well as seven Saudi and 23 Sudanese nationals. Saudi Ambassador Mohamed AlJabir and Houthi officials praised the agreement for … Continue reading Yemen’s sides agree to release 2,900 detainees in war’s largest exchange

Japanese H3 rocket fails during launch of navigation satellite

Japan’s seventh H3 rocket mission failed when the second stage engine shut down prematurely, preventing the Michibiki 5 (QZS-5) navigation satellite from reaching its planned orbit. The launch took place from Tanegashima Space Center on Dec. 21, carrying the 4,800-kilogram satellite intended for Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), which complements GPS and serves the Asia-Oceania region. The H3 rocket, developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy … Continue reading Japanese H3 rocket fails during launch of navigation satellite

Greta Thunberg arrested for pro-Palestinian protest under UK terrorism law

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was released on bail after being arrested in London during a pro-Palestinian protest. She was detained under the UK’s Terrorism Act for holding a sign supporting Palestine Action prisoners, a group proscribed as terrorist by the British government. Thunberg was bailed until March, while two others were also arrested for throwing red paint at a building linked to an insurance firm … Continue reading Greta Thunberg arrested for pro-Palestinian protest under UK terrorism law

Russell Brand faces two additional rape and sexual assault charges from UK prosecutors in court case

Russell Brand has been charged by the U.K. Crown Prosecution Service with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to incidents in 2009, adding to five previous charges of rape and sexual assault from 1999 to 2005. The allegations arose from a joint investigation by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times, which reported anonymous complaints of sexual and emotional abuse. Brand … Continue reading Russell Brand faces two additional rape and sexual assault charges from UK prosecutors in court case

Libya’s military chief and 7 others are killed in a plane crash

A private jet carrying Libya’s top military commander, Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, four other officers, and three crew members crashed near Ankara, Turkey, killing all on board. The delegation had been in Turkey for defense talks to strengthen military cooperation, and Turkish officials said the crash was caused by a technical malfunction. The aircraft, a Falcon 50 business jet, lost contact with air traffic … Continue reading Libya’s military chief and 7 others are killed in a plane crash

Ashlee Buzzard arrested in murder of daughter Melodee

Ashlee Buzzard was arrested for allegedly killing her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, whose body was found in a rural area of Utah with a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities say Melodee was likely killed shortly after being last seen on October 9 during a road trip with her mother, and investigators have recovered significant evidence linking Ashlee to the crime. A DNA match and … Continue reading Ashlee Buzzard arrested in murder of daughter Melodee

More Than 20 Skeletons Found Under the Tower of London

Archaeologists at the Tower of London have uncovered the remains of more than 20 previously unknown individuals near the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula. Some skeletons appear to date back to the 14th century and may be linked to medieval plague outbreaks in London, according to Historic Royal Palaces. The excavation is the first major dig at the Tower in over 30 years … Continue reading More Than 20 Skeletons Found Under the Tower of London

Russia patents space station designed to generate artificial gravity

Russian state-owned Energia has patented a spacecraft design intended to generate artificial gravity, potentially benefiting long-duration crewed missions. The design features a rotating system capable of producing 0.5g, using radially attached habitable modules that spin around a central axis at five revolutions per minute. Each module would have a radius of 131 feet (40 meters) and require multiple launches for orbital assembly, though docking and … Continue reading Russia patents space station designed to generate artificial gravity

Astronauts complete practice countdown for upcoming trip around the moon

Four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—conducted a dress rehearsal countdown inside their Orion spacecraft atop NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Kennedy Space Center, preparing for the Artemis 2 lunar mission. The complex test experienced some stops and starts, but Wiseman called it “extremely successful,” confirming the crew and vehicle are ready for launch procedures. Artemis 2 is tentatively scheduled … Continue reading Astronauts complete practice countdown for upcoming trip around the moon

T800 humanoid kung fu kicks its way to mass production

EngineAI, a Shenzhen-based robotics startup founded in 2023, has unveiled the T800, an acrobatic humanoid robot designed for industrial applications. Standing 1.73 m tall and weighing 75 kg, the T800 is built from lightweight magnesium-aluminum alloy, features 29 degrees of freedom, and can perform high-intensity tasks, including martial arts-style kicks, without overheating thanks to advanced cooling and a modular battery. Its 360° LiDAR and AI-powered … Continue reading T800 humanoid kung fu kicks its way to mass production

Gold extends record run while silver joins rally to new high

Gold reached a record high near $4,500 per ounce, driven by a weaker dollar, geopolitical uncertainty, and expectations of dovish U.S. monetary policy. Spot gold rose 0.72% to $4,477.45, while U.S. February gold futures hit $4,530.80 intraday. Silver also surged to an all-time high above $70 per ounce, gaining 2.13% amid supply deficits, strong industrial demand, and investment inflows. Investors continue to seek safe-haven metals … Continue reading Gold extends record run while silver joins rally to new high

U.S. Moves Troops, Additional Special-Operations Aircraft Into Caribbean

The U.S. has deployed a large number of special-operations aircraft, troops, and equipment to the Caribbean, increasing military options against Venezuela. President Trump has escalated pressure on Nicolás Maduro, imposing a blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers and leaving airstrikes on the table. Elite units, including CV-22 Ospreys, Army Rangers, and special-operations forces, have been prepositioned, signaling Washington may already have a course of action planned. … Continue reading U.S. Moves Troops, Additional Special-Operations Aircraft Into Caribbean

Russia launches 650 kamikaze drones at Ukraine in pre-Christmas blitz

Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, firing more than 650 drones and dozens of missiles that struck residential areas and energy infrastructure across 13 regions. At least three civilians were killed, including a 4-year-old child, just days before Christmas, as the attacks caused widespread power outages during freezing weather. Ukrainian officials said air defenses intercepted most of the drones and missiles, but significant … Continue reading Russia launches 650 kamikaze drones at Ukraine in pre-Christmas blitz

Supreme Court rules on legality of Trump National Guard deployment to Illinois

The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s emergency request to immediately deploy federalized National Guard troops to Chicago, temporarily blocking the plan. The justices upheld a lower court ruling that said the government failed to show legal authority to use the military to enforce laws in Illinois, with three conservative justices dissenting. The decision marks a rare setback for President Trump, who has largely prevailed … Continue reading Supreme Court rules on legality of Trump National Guard deployment to Illinois

2 dead, others missing after explosion at Pennsylvania nursing home

At least two people were killed and others remain missing after an apparent gas explosion partially collapsed the Bristol Health and Rehab Center, also known as Silver Lake Nursing Home, in Bristol Township near Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon. The blast occurred around 2:15 p.m. while PECO crews were responding to reports of a gas odor, sending flames and debris into the air and prompting a … Continue reading 2 dead, others missing after explosion at Pennsylvania nursing home

Trump calls the New York Times ‘a threat to national security’

President Donald Trump accused the New York Times of endangering national security, calling it “a serious threat” in a late-night post on his Truth Social platform and alleging false, biased reporting. He did not specify which article prompted the attack, but it continues a pattern of repeated public criticism of the paper and the media. Earlier this month, Trump accused the Times of “seditious” or … Continue reading Trump calls the New York Times ‘a threat to national security’

At least two killed in Aleppo clashes between Syrian army, Kurdish-led SDF

Clashes erupted in Aleppo between the Syrian army and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), killing at least two civilians and injuring 11 others ahead of a deadline to integrate the SDF into state institutions. Heavy gunfire and mortar shelling forced dozens of families to flee, and two Syrian Civil Defence rescuers were injured during the violence. Syria’s Interior Ministry reported injuries to two security personnel … Continue reading At least two killed in Aleppo clashes between Syrian army, Kurdish-led SDF

Trump admin recalling around 30 ambassadors as part of State Dept realignment

The Trump administration is recalling about 30 U.S. ambassadors worldwide to align diplomatic representation with President Trump’s America First agenda, Fox News reported. Officials emphasized the recalls are standard practice, with ambassadors being reassigned within the State Department rather than fired or punished. The administration said decisions were made to maintain continuity, avoiding recalls from countries at war or involved in critical negotiations. The large-scale … Continue reading Trump admin recalling around 30 ambassadors as part of State Dept realignment