Rudy Giuliani held in contempt of court in 2020 election defamation case 

A federal judge has held Rudy Giuliani in contempt of court for failing to provide information about his assets after being ordered to pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers for defamation. Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Giuliani deliberately missed the deadline to disclose his finances, accusing him of stalling. Sanctions will be imposed later, and a trial on January 16 will determine if … Continue reading Rudy Giuliani held in contempt of court in 2020 election defamation case 

Mecca flooded after extreme rain

Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, has been hit by severe flooding due to heavy rainfall, submerging neighborhoods and causing widespread disruption. Footage shows residents forming human chains to rescue trapped children and aiding those swept away by floodwaters. Cars, buses, and debris were left abandoned as water surged through the streets, Metro has reported. The extreme weather has also impacted other regions, including Madinah and Riyadh, … Continue reading Mecca flooded after extreme rain

Three Israelis killed in Palestinian shooting attack in West Bank

Three Israelis, including two women in their 70s and a 35-year-old police officer, were killed, and eight others wounded in a Palestinian shooting attack on a bus and two cars in the occupied West Bank. The attack occurred near the village of al-Funduq on Highway 55, with at least two gunmen fleeing the scene. Security forces launched a manhunt, setting up roadblocks and surrounding nearby … Continue reading Three Israelis killed in Palestinian shooting attack in West Bank

Israeli soldiers face risk of arrest abroad for alleged war crimes after serving in Gaza

An Israeli soldier fled Brazil after a judge ordered an investigation into allegations of war crimes committed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The case, brought by the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation, accuses the soldier of participating in the destruction of civilian homes. Israel’s Foreign Ministry assisted in the soldier’s swift departure and warned soldiers against sharing military service details online. The incident has sparked … Continue reading Israeli soldiers face risk of arrest abroad for alleged war crimes after serving in Gaza

North Korea tests ballistic missile as Blinken visits South Korea

North Korea fired a suspected medium-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea, coinciding with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to South Korea. The missile, launched from Pyongyang, traveled about 684 miles before landing outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Blinken condemned the launch as a violation of U.N. resolutions and emphasized the importance of U.S.-South Korea-Japan cooperation in deterrence. Japan also strongly protested, calling … Continue reading North Korea tests ballistic missile as Blinken visits South Korea

Woman arrested after arsenic-laced Christmas cake kills 3 family members in Brazil

Brazilian police arrested a woman accused of poisoning a Christmas cake with arsenic, resulting in the deaths of three family members and the hospitalization of three others during a December 23 gathering in Torres. Authorities suspect the arrested woman, reportedly the daughter-in-law of the cake’s baker, researched arsenic online before the incident. Toxicology tests revealed extremely high arsenic levels in the victims’ blood and the … Continue reading Woman arrested after arsenic-laced Christmas cake kills 3 family members in Brazil

US transfers 11 Guantanamo detainees to Yemen after more than two decades without charge

The Pentagon announced the transfer of 11 Yemeni men from Guantanamo Bay to Oman after over two decades of detention without charge. This marks the Biden administration’s largest effort to reduce the prison’s population before leaving office, bringing the number of detainees to 15—the lowest since 2002. Among those released was Shaqawi al Hajj, who endured years of hunger strikes and hospitalizations. Rights groups have … Continue reading US transfers 11 Guantanamo detainees to Yemen after more than two decades without charge

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe beams home 1st detailed update

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe transmitted positive data on New Year’s Day, confirming its systems and instruments are operating normally after its historic flyby of the sun. On December 26, the probe successfully approached within 3.8 million miles of the sun, breaking records for both proximity and speed, reaching 430,000 mph. The spacecraft’s heat shield protected it from extreme temperatures, allowing it to collect valuable scientific … Continue reading NASA’s Parker Solar Probe beams home 1st detailed update

Astronomers Pinpoint Origins of Mysterious Signal That Traveled 200 Million Years

Astronomers at MIT have identified the source of a fast radio burst (FRB) 20221022A, a brief but powerful explosion of radio waves. Using a technique that analyzes the burst’s “scintillation,” the team determined that the FRB originated from the magnetosphere of a neutron star, located just 10,000 kilometers away. This discovery provides the first evidence that FRBs can be produced in the highly magnetic regions … Continue reading Astronomers Pinpoint Origins of Mysterious Signal That Traveled 200 Million Years

Scientists explore laser ‘fingerprints’ to turn trees into jet fuel, carbon storage

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to explore trees as a sustainable biofuel source for applications like powering aircraft and heavy vehicles. This technology analyzes the elemental composition of plants and soil, aiding in bioenergy and carbon storage research. It could help farmers grow bioenergy crops more sustainably and assist climate scientists in understanding how plants respond to environmental … Continue reading Scientists explore laser ‘fingerprints’ to turn trees into jet fuel, carbon storage

Chinese robot vacuum cleaner company reveals model with an AI-powered arm

Roborock, a Chinese robot vacuum cleaner company, unveiled a new model, the Saros Z70, featuring an AI-powered folding arm to remove obstacles like socks and small towels. The model is expected to launch globally in the first half of the year. Roborock’s president, Quan Gang, anticipates that AI will make robot vacuums as essential as washing machines within the next three years. Despite current low … Continue reading Chinese robot vacuum cleaner company reveals model with an AI-powered arm

Costco cold remedy recalled due to possible ‘contamination’

Costco has issued a recall for its Kirkland Signature Severe Cold & Flu Plus Congestion medicine due to potential contamination with foreign material. The affected product, identified by item number #1729556 and lot code P140082, was sold at select Costco locations in the Midwest and Southeast between October 30 and November 30, 2024. The recall was initiated by LNK International, which explained that the specific … Continue reading Costco cold remedy recalled due to possible ‘contamination’

Giant tuna fish sold to Tokyo sushi restaurateurs for $1.3m

Sushi restaurateurs in Tokyo paid 207 million yen ($1.3 million) for a 276kg (608lb) bluefin tuna at the annual New Year auction at Toyosu Fish Market. The sale, the second-highest ever, was made by Onodera Group, which plans to serve the tuna at its Michelin-starred Ginza Onodera and Nadaman restaurants across Japan. The tuna, caught off Aomori, is intended to bring good fortune in the … Continue reading Giant tuna fish sold to Tokyo sushi restaurateurs for $1.3m

New York becomes the first U.S. city with a congestion charge despite opposition

New York City’s first-ever Congestion Relief Zone officially launched on Sunday, introducing congestion charges for motorists entering Manhattan’s busiest neighborhoods. The new toll system, aimed at reducing traffic and funding public transportation, charges up to $9 for most cars entering the central business district during peak hours. Small trucks and buses face higher fees, with larger vehicles paying up to $21.60. Exemptions include emergency vehicles, … Continue reading New York becomes the first U.S. city with a congestion charge despite opposition

Elon Musk demands UK act on grooming gang scandal amid growing calls for probe

Elon Musk has voiced strong support for calls in the UK for a new national inquiry into the child abuse scandal involving grooming gangs. He labeled the scandal “the worst mass crime against the people of Britain ever” and urged King Charles III to intervene. The abuse, primarily involving men of South Asian or Pakistani heritage, has spanned decades, with thousands of children exploited across … Continue reading Elon Musk demands UK act on grooming gang scandal amid growing calls for probe

Biden to deliver two major speeches in final days

President Joe Biden plans to deliver two major speeches before leaving office to highlight key aspects of his 50-plus years of public service. The first will focus on foreign policy and is scheduled after his return from Italy on January 12. The second, a farewell address, will reflect on his time in office, offering a message for the future. Biden’s foreign policy speech will emphasize … Continue reading Biden to deliver two major speeches in final days

Italy’s Meloni makes surprise Mar-a-Lago visit to meet with Trump

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a surprise visit to Mar-a-Lago on Saturday to meet with President-elect Trump, along with several of his expected administration nominees, including Sen. Marco Rubio (Secretary of State), Rep. Mike Waltz (National Security Adviser), and Scott Bessent (Treasury Secretary).  During the event, Trump praised Meloni as a strong leader, while Rubio called her a great ally. Meloni, who leads Italy’s … Continue reading Italy’s Meloni makes surprise Mar-a-Lago visit to meet with Trump

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