Zelenskyy says Ukraine facing Russian ‘aerial terror’ after night of drone strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a week of intense Russian attacks involving 500 bombs, 660 drones, and 120 missiles targeting Ukraine, particularly its energy grid. Recent strikes in Kherson injured seven civilians, while earlier drone attacks killed three. Ukraine’s air force intercepted many drones, with electronic countermeasures causing failures. European leaders visited Kyiv to affirm support, while U.S. President Biden pledged $5.5 billion in aid, … Continue reading Zelenskyy says Ukraine facing Russian ‘aerial terror’ after night of drone strikes

Syrian and Russian jets step up strikes on rebels after opposition seizes much of Aleppo

Syrian and Russian airstrikes have intensified in northern Syria following a rebel offensive that seized Aleppo and key military sites, marking the most significant challenge to Assad in years. The offensive, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkish-backed factions, has captured vast territories, including Aleppo’s airport. Rebel gains threaten regime stability as Kurdish forces retain control of some areas. The conflict has reignited Syria’s … Continue reading Syrian and Russian jets step up strikes on rebels after opposition seizes much of Aleppo

Israel intercepts ballistic missile from Yemen

The IDF intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen early Sunday, preventing it from entering Israeli territory. Sirens sounded across central Israel, and four people were injured while seeking shelter. Police are searching for missile remnants near Beit Shemesh. Yemen’s Houthi spokesperson vowed continued attacks until Israel ends its actions in Gaza and lifts the siege, the Jerusalem Post has reported. This marks the latest … Continue reading Israel intercepts ballistic missile from Yemen

Another Bleak Christmas in Bethlehem as Christian Families Quit West Bank

Bethlehem faces another Christmas without celebration as the Gaza war deepens its struggles. The traditionally festive Manger Square is deserted, shops remain closed, and no Christmas tree will be erected. Residents, demoralized by economic hardship and violence, are increasingly emigrating, including local Christians whose numbers have dwindled to just 10% of the population. Ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions, West Bank settlement expansion, and the threat of annexation … Continue reading Another Bleak Christmas in Bethlehem as Christian Families Quit West Bank

Sales of the Bible are booming

Bible sales in the U.S. surged 22% by October 2024, compared to last year, as readers seek comfort amid economic, political, and global uncertainties, according to Circana BookScan. While overall print book sales grew less than 1%, publishers report increased demand from first-time buyers looking for hope and meaning. Sales include diverse formats like graphic novel Bibles, audiobooks, and luxury editions. Despite a rise in … Continue reading Sales of the Bible are booming

NASA’s Voyager 1 Finally Phones Home After Worrying Communications Glitch

NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft has resumed regular operations after a month-long communication pause. In late October, it unexpectedly switched off its primary X-band radio transmitter, forcing the team to use a backup, weaker transmitter. However, the team successfully reactivated the X-band transmitter earlier this month and resumed data collection. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 is now 15 billion miles from Earth, facing challenges due to … Continue reading NASA’s Voyager 1 Finally Phones Home After Worrying Communications Glitch

Colombian navy intercepts narco-subs taking new route to Australia

The Colombian navy intercepted a semi-submersible vessel carrying cocaine in the Pacific Ocean, marking the third such seizure in the region. The vessel, believed to be heading to Australia, had enough fuel for the journey, part of a new smuggling route. Cocaine trafficking to Australia is highly profitable, with a kilogram fetching up to $240,000 there, six times more than in the U.S. The operation, … Continue reading Colombian navy intercepts narco-subs taking new route to Australia

Colorado dentist charged with poisoning his wife’s protein shakes faces new charges

Colorado dentist James Craig, accused of fatally poisoning his wife Angela Craig last year, now faces two additional charges: solicitation to commit murder and perjury. Angela, a mother of six, died in March 2023 from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning. Prosecutors allege James spiked her protein shakes, citing evidence of his online searches for undetectable poisons and how to stage a murder as a heart attack. … Continue reading Colorado dentist charged with poisoning his wife’s protein shakes faces new charges

Arizona man charged with threatening to kill Donald Trump

An Arizona man, Manuel Tamayo-Torres, was arrested after allegedly posting videos threatening to kill President-elect Donald Trump and his family while brandishing an AR-15-style rifle. Tamayo-Torres accused Trump of kidnapping and sex-trafficking his children in near-daily posts, including one at a Trump rally site. In videos, he made explicit threats, including saying Trump’s “whole family is going to die.” Arrested in California, Tamayo-Torres faces charges … Continue reading Arizona man charged with threatening to kill Donald Trump

Appeals court rules Texas has right to build razor wire border wall to deter illegal immigration

A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that Texas can maintain its razor wire border wall, rejecting federal efforts to remove it. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2-1 decision supports Texas’ lawsuit accusing the Biden administration of trespassing on state property. Circuit Judge Kyle Duncan stated that Texas acted to protect its property, not to regulate U.S. Border Patrol, and was likely to succeed … Continue reading Appeals court rules Texas has right to build razor wire border wall to deter illegal immigration

Teenage hockey player returning from game in Missouri dies after being hit by stray bullet

Colin Brown, a 16-year-old hockey player, died days after being struck by a stray bullet on Interstate 55 in St. Louis while returning home from a game with his family. The incident occurred Saturday night, and Brown was transported to the hospital in critical condition. He passed away Wednesday morning, USA Today has reported. Brown’s family expressed gratitude to law enforcement and the hockey community … Continue reading Teenage hockey player returning from game in Missouri dies after being hit by stray bullet

Texas planning to bus migrants directly to ICE for deportation

Texas is considering a plan to redirect migrant buses to ICE detention centers for faster deportation processing, instead of sanctuary cities, as part of Operation Lone Star. The proposal, which has not yet been approved by Gov. Greg Abbott, aims to strengthen border security. Tom Homan, the incoming border czar, expressed interest in collaborating on the plan. Texas previously bused nearly 120,000 migrants to cities … Continue reading Texas planning to bus migrants directly to ICE for deportation

South Korea: At least 4 dead in heavy snowfall

South Korea experienced its heaviest snowfall in over a century, with more than 40 cm (16 inches) in Seoul, causing over 140 flight cancellations and ferry suspensions. The storm, attributed to warm sea temperatures meeting cold air currents, resulted in four deaths, including two from structural collapses and two in traffic accidents. This marks the third heaviest snow recorded in Seoul since 1907, the DW … Continue reading South Korea: At least 4 dead in heavy snowfall

China investigates a top military official as Xi broadens purge of PLA generals

China has suspended Admiral Miao Hua, a key member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and close ally of Xi Jinping, for corruption, marking the latest development in Xi’s anti-corruption campaign targeting the military. Miao, 69, heads the CMC’s Political Work Department and is under investigation for “serious violations of discipline.” This follows recent purges of senior military leaders, including former defense ministers Li Shangfu … Continue reading China investigates a top military official as Xi broadens purge of PLA generals

Missing hiker found alive after 50 days in Canadian wilderness

Sam Benastick, 20, was found alive after surviving 50 days in British Columbia’s Redfern-Keily Provincial Park. Missing since October 17 during a planned 10-day hike, he endured freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. Park workers discovered him struggling down a service road, wrapped in a makeshift coat made from a torn sleeping bag. Benastick, who had built camps near a creek and later in a dried-out … Continue reading Missing hiker found alive after 50 days in Canadian wilderness

Russia eyes ‘decision-making centers’ as targets for new missile

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to target Ukraine’s “decision-making centers” using the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which Russia claims is impossible to intercept. Western officials remain skeptical of this claim. Putin cited Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles as justification for the strikes and stated that his forces are selecting targets, including military and industrial sites in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the … Continue reading Russia eyes ‘decision-making centers’ as targets for new missile

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire sees Israeli airstrike on Lebanon and scattered attacks

Israel conducted its first airstrike on Lebanon since a truce with Hezbollah was announced, targeting a rocket storage site in southern Lebanon. Sporadic clashes, including Israeli strikes and gunfire, wounded two people, whom Lebanon described as civilians and Israel as suspects violating the ceasefire. Despite these tensions, the ceasefire mostly held as Lebanese troops deployed in conflict areas, aiming to help 1.2 million displaced civilians … Continue reading Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire sees Israeli airstrike on Lebanon and scattered attacks

NASA Confirms Asteroid Larger Than the Statue of Liberty Is Approaching Earth

An asteroid, 2006 WB, about the size of a football field, will pass by Earth tomorrow at a distance of 554,000 miles (891,577 km), roughly twice the distance to the Moon. Measuring approximately 310 feet (94.49 meters) across, it is considered a near-Earth object (NEO), though it poses no threat. The asteroid will travel at a speed of 9,400 mph (15,128 km/h), much faster than … Continue reading NASA Confirms Asteroid Larger Than the Statue of Liberty Is Approaching Earth

Firefly sets January launch date for first lunar lander mission

Firefly Aerospace has announced a January launch for its first lunar lander mission, Blue Ghost 1, after delays pushed back the original fourth-quarter 2024 schedule. The lander, carrying 10 NASA payloads, will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and land near Mons Latreille on the Moon. The mission, named “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” will last about 60 days, including a 45-day transit. Firefly’s … Continue reading Firefly sets January launch date for first lunar lander mission

Russian spacecraft brings ‘toxic’ odor, unknown droplets to International Space Station

A Russian spacecraft, Progress 90, leaked a strange odor and droplets upon docking with the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, alarming astronauts. The odor was described as “toxic,” prompting the crew to seal off the hatch and activate air scrubbers while monitoring air quality. After confirming the air was safe, the hatch was reopened, and the spacecraft, carrying supplies for the ISS, remained docked … Continue reading Russian spacecraft brings ‘toxic’ odor, unknown droplets to International Space Station

Macy’s delays earnings release as it says employee hid up to $154 million in delivery expenses

Macy’s announced it will delay its full earnings release as it investigates an accounting issue where an employee intentionally hid up to $154 million in delivery expenses. The company found that the employee made erroneous entries between Q4 2021 and Q3 2024. While Macy’s continues its investigation, it confirmed the issue did not affect cash management or vendor payments, and the employee is no longer … Continue reading Macy’s delays earnings release as it says employee hid up to $154 million in delivery expenses

Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, rolls back DEI

Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., has made changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The company will not renew its racial equity center created after George Floyd’s death, and it will stop participating in an LGBTQ+ advocacy group’s benchmark index. Walmart also committed to monitoring its marketplace for inappropriate products marketed to children and no longer using the term “LatinX.” … Continue reading Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, rolls back DEI

Federal Prosecutors Charge Star Bond Investor Ken Leech With Fraud

Kenneth Leech, the former co-chief investment officer of Western Asset Management, was charged with running a $600 million “cherry-picking” scheme, favoring certain clients’ accounts by allocating successful trades to them while giving poorer trades to others. Between January 2021 and October 2023, Leech allegedly misled investors and made false statements to the SEC. He faces four fraud charges and one charge of making false statements, … Continue reading Federal Prosecutors Charge Star Bond Investor Ken Leech With Fraud

Former history teacher Yamandú Orsi wins Uruguay election

Yamandú Orsi, a left-wing former history teacher, won Uruguay’s presidential election, defeating conservative candidate Álvaro Delgado by over three percentage points in Sunday’s run-off. Orsi’s victory marks the return of his Broad Front coalition to power after five years of conservative rule. A protege of former President José Mujica, Orsi comes from a modest background and served as mayor of Canelones, where he attracted business … Continue reading Former history teacher Yamandú Orsi wins Uruguay election

President Biden pardons turkeys at White House

Peach and Blossom, two turkeys from Minnesota, were pardoned by President Biden at the White House on Monday, sparing them from becoming part of a Thanksgiving feast. Biden, speaking to a crowd of 2,500, reflected on the holiday season and expressed gratitude for his time in office. The turkeys, named after the Delaware state flower, were trained for the ceremony, including getting used to lights, … Continue reading President Biden pardons turkeys at White House