Business

McDonald’s is ending some of its DEI practices

McDonald’s is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts following the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action and growing conservative backlash. The company announced it will drop specific diversity goals, including supplier DEI commitments, and cease participation in external diversity surveys. McDonald’s will also rename its diversity team to the Global Inclusion Team, reflecting a shift in focus. Despite these changes, McDonald’s emphasized … Continue reading McDonald’s is ending some of its DEI practices

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Business

Social Security Fairness Act signed into law by Biden, enhancing retirement benefits for millions

President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law on Sunday, expanding benefits for over 2.5 million retired Americans, including firefighters, police officers, and teachers. The law eliminates policies that previously reduced benefits for workers with public pensions and their families. Beneficiaries will see an average monthly increase of $360, along with a lump sum for the 2024 shortfall. This is the first time … Continue reading Social Security Fairness Act signed into law by Biden, enhancing retirement benefits for millions

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Politics

Kamala Harris called ‘Madam President’ by Democratic senators during certification of Trump’s election win

Senators sparked backlash after referring to Kamala Harris as “Madam President” during the Electoral College count, despite her role as vice president. Harris, acting as president of the Senate, certified her own defeat to President-elect Donald Trump, becoming only the third vice president in U.S. history to do so. The ceremony saw applause from both Republicans and Democrats, but the repeated address of Harris as … Continue reading Kamala Harris called ‘Madam President’ by Democratic senators during certification of Trump’s election win

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Politics

Nancy Pelosi, 84, hobbles onto House floor with a walker after hip replacement

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 84, is recovering from hip replacement surgery after a fall in Europe last month. She was seen using a walker on the House floor Monday, greeting fellow lawmakers as she attended a joint session to certify the 2024 presidential election results. Pelosi had received a warm welcome from Democrats during her first return to the floor last week, aided by … Continue reading Nancy Pelosi, 84, hobbles onto House floor with a walker after hip replacement

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Politics

House Democrats argue GOP Jan. 6 report defamed Cheney

Democrats have refuted GOP claims that former Rep. Liz Cheney acted improperly in her interactions with Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness in the Jan. 6 investigation. A report highlights prior testimony from Hutchinson and a letter from her attorney, showing Hutchinson independently fired her former attorney, Stefan Passantino, due to a conflict of interest before reaching out to Cheney. The GOP had suggested ethical concerns … Continue reading House Democrats argue GOP Jan. 6 report defamed Cheney

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Politics

Emmanuel Macron joins growing criticism of Elon Musk in Europe

European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and German officials, have criticized Elon Musk for allegedly intervening in their countries’ democratic processes, particularly through his support for far-right parties and attacks on left-wing politicians. Musk has backed the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany, sparking concern about his influence on the upcoming elections. However, these leaders, who condemn Musk’s … Continue reading Emmanuel Macron joins growing criticism of Elon Musk in Europe

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Politics

Trudeau says he’s not the right choice to lead, promises to resign as PM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he plans to step down once the Liberal Party selects a successor. After leading the party since 2013 and serving as prime minister since 2015, Trudeau’s decision follows growing speculation and waning support from his caucus. He shared the news outside his residence, stating he needed to focus on unifying the party for the next election. Trudeau has called for … Continue reading Trudeau says he’s not the right choice to lead, promises to resign as PM

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U.S. News

Army records show brief career overlaps between New Orleans and Las Vegas suspects

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an Army veteran, and Master Sgt. Matthew Alan Livelsberger, a Special Forces master sergeant, briefly served together at Fort Liberty and in Afghanistan. While they overlapped in their service, there is no connection between the separate incidents they were involved in on New Year’s Day. Livelsberger, 37, orchestrated a suicidal explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas using a Tesla Cybertruck, … Continue reading Army records show brief career overlaps between New Orleans and Las Vegas suspects

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U.S. News

Alabama police officer killed by driver while directing traffic near a church

Lt. Mark Meadows, a 30-year veteran of the Irondale Police Department, was killed on Monday after being struck by a pickup truck while directing traffic outside the Church of the Highlands in Alabama. The 60-year-old officer was taken to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The 32-year-old driver remained at the scene, and authorities are investigating the incident, the Associated Press has reported. Irondale’s … Continue reading Alabama police officer killed by driver while directing traffic near a church

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U.S. News

Polar vortex keeps much of the US in its icy grip

A massive winter storm, driven by a southward dip of the polar vortex, has blanketed much of the U.S. east of the Rockies with ice, snow, and strong winds, causing hazardous roads, school closures, power outages, and flight cancellations. Southern states, including Texas and Florida, faced unusually cold conditions, while Washington, D.C., saw heavy snow during the certification of President-elect Trump’s victory. In Kentucky, freezing … Continue reading Polar vortex keeps much of the US in its icy grip

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U.S. News

Louisiana AG orders review of New Orleans security plans after deadly truck attack

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced a full review of New Orleans’ security plans following the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street, which killed 14 and injured dozens. The review will examine planning, funding, and risk assessments for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl, amid criticism over the failure to deploy anti-vehicle barriers and the removal of malfunctioning bollards. Murrill praised police … Continue reading Louisiana AG orders review of New Orleans security plans after deadly truck attack

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U.S. News

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 

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World News

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

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World News

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

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World News

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

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World News

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

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World News

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

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World News

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

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Space

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

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Space

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

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Technology

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

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Technology

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

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Business

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’

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Business

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

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Business

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

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