Japan lifts megaquake advisory but urges caution

Japan lifted a megaquake advisory for its northeastern coast Tuesday, a week after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off northern Japan. The advisory, which had urged residents to sleep in day clothes with helmets, shoes, and grab bags at hand, is no longer in effect, though officials stressed that the risk of a major quake remains. The 7.5 quake, near Aomori and south of Hokkaido, … Continue reading Japan lifts megaquake advisory but urges caution

M23 announces exit from DRC’s Uvira as US-brokered ceasefire stutters

The M23 armed group has agreed, at the request of the United States, to withdraw from the strategic town of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which it seized last week. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo coalition that includes M23, confirmed the withdrawal in a signed statement posted online. However, reports from Uvira indicated that M23 fighters were still … Continue reading M23 announces exit from DRC’s Uvira as US-brokered ceasefire stutters

Man found dead in submerged car near Seattle after a week of heavy rain and flooding

A 33-year-old man died after driving into floodwaters near Seattle, becoming the first reported fatality from a week of heavy rain and flooding in the region. Rescue crews found his car submerged in about six feet of water in Snohomish County, but lifesaving efforts failed. Authorities warned that many residents underestimated the speed and danger of rising waters, with numerous rescues involving people stranded atop … Continue reading Man found dead in submerged car near Seattle after a week of heavy rain and flooding

Rob and Michele Reiner’s son charged with murder in their deaths

Nick Reiner, 32, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his parents, Michele and Rob Reiner, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors allege he used a knife in the killings and have added a special allegation reflecting that claim. Reiner is being held without bail, and his arraignment will be scheduled at a later … Continue reading Rob and Michele Reiner’s son charged with murder in their deaths

House won’t vote on health care tax credit extension, angering GOP moderates

The House will not vote this week on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year. An attempt by moderate Republicans to force a vote failed after the House Rules Committee blocked proposed amendments to a GOP health care bill that does not include an extension. Moderates warn that letting the subsidies lapse could sharply … Continue reading House won’t vote on health care tax credit extension, angering GOP moderates

Trump declares ‘Venezuelan regime’ a foreign terrorist organization, orders oil tanker blockade

President Donald Trump ordered a total blockade of oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, declaring Nicolás Maduro’s government a foreign terrorist organization. Trump accused the regime of using oil from what he called stolen U.S. assets to finance terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. The U.S. escalated tensions further by seizing an oil tanker, the Skipper, allegedly used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan and Iranian oil … Continue reading Trump declares ‘Venezuelan regime’ a foreign terrorist organization, orders oil tanker blockade

Woman charged in $29M COVID fraud busted driving stolen van to court

A Florida woman was arrested after driving a stolen vehicle to the federal courthouse where she was scheduled to stand trial for alleged COVID-relief fraud. Latoya Clark, 39, was stopped near the Fort Pierce courthouse when a license plate reader flagged the 2025 Ram ProMaster van she was driving as stolen. Clark reportedly admitted she knew why she was being detained and said she was … Continue reading Woman charged in $29M COVID fraud busted driving stolen van to court

MIT nuclear science professor found shot dead at home

MIT nuclear science professor Nuno Loureiro, 47, was shot multiple times and killed inside his Brookline, Massachusetts home Monday night, according to authorities. Police responded to reports of a shooting around 8:30 p.m., and Loureiro later died at a hospital; officials say the case remains an active homicide investigation with few details released. Law enforcement confirmed the killing is not connected to a recent mass … Continue reading MIT nuclear science professor found shot dead at home

U.S. Military Willing to Attack ‘Designated Terrorist Organizations’ Within America, General Says

Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee he would carry out a lawful order to attack “designated terrorist organizations” in the U.S. if he had no legal concerns. His statement is controversial because the Trump administration has labeled some groups, including certain drug cartels and reportedly Antifa, as terrorist organizations, a designation some experts say lacks a clear … Continue reading U.S. Military Willing to Attack ‘Designated Terrorist Organizations’ Within America, General Says

Vatican unveils Nativity scene, lights Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square

The Vatican unveiled its Nativity scene and lit a 25-meter Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square on Monday, accompanied by a band, chorus, and dancers in traditional South Tyrol costumes. The spruce tree came from Italy’s German-speaking autonomous province on the Austrian border, while the life-size Nativity scene was designed by the Nocera Inferiore-Sarno diocese, featuring southern Italian architectural elements. South Tyrol deputy governor Rosmarie … Continue reading Vatican unveils Nativity scene, lights Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square

James Webb Space Telescope finds 1st evidence of ‘dinosaur-like’ stars in the early universe

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope may have found the first evidence of “monster” stars that existed shortly after the Big Bang, with masses up to 10,000 times that of the sun. These prehistoric stars, now extinct, likely collapsed into massive black holes, leaving behind chemical “fossils” in the universe. The discovery came from studying the galaxy GS 3073, 12.7 billion light-years away, where … Continue reading James Webb Space Telescope finds 1st evidence of ‘dinosaur-like’ stars in the early universe

Morocco’s Safi counts the cost in aftermath of deadly flash floods

Flash floods in the Moroccan town of Safi have killed at least 37 people, with search and rescue operations ongoing. The coastal town, about 300 km south of Rabat, was hit by a torrent that swept away cars and debris, marking the deadliest flood in Morocco in over a decade. Survivors are being treated at Mohammed V Hospital, with two in intensive care, while schools … Continue reading Morocco’s Safi counts the cost in aftermath of deadly flash floods

Hunter Biden disbarred in Connecticut after complaints about gun, tax convictions

A Connecticut judge on Monday disbarred Hunter Biden for violating state attorney conduct rules, following complaints related to his federal gun and tax convictions. Biden consented to the disbarment and admitted to attorney misconduct, but did not admit to any criminal wrongdoing; he was previously disbarred in Washington, D.C., in May. The judge cited violations including dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, and referenced his prior … Continue reading Hunter Biden disbarred in Connecticut after complaints about gun, tax convictions

New Trump tariffs collection hits $200 billion, Customs says

The U.S. has collected over $200 billion in tariffs in 2025 under new duties imposed by President Trump, according to Customs and Border Protection. These tariffs, including “reciprocal” and fentanyl-related duties, were implemented without congressional approval and are currently facing legal challenges in the Supreme Court. Collections dropped slightly in November as imports slowed and some duties were reduced, but CBP emphasized the tariffs’ role … Continue reading New Trump tariffs collection hits $200 billion, Customs says

Brian Walshe found guilty of killing his wife and dismembering her body

A Massachusetts jury on Monday found Brian Walshe guilty of first-degree murder for killing his wife, Ana Walshe, and dismembering her body three years ago. The verdict followed nearly two weeks of testimony in Norfolk County Superior Court, where prosecutors argued Walshe was motivated by money and his wife’s affair, detailing how he methodically dismembered and disposed of her body. Walshe’s defense claimed Ana Walshe … Continue reading Brian Walshe found guilty of killing his wife and dismembering her body

Russia-Ukraine peace deal could be closer than ever, US officials signal

U.S. officials indicated Monday that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine may be closer than ever, with roughly 90% of issues reportedly resolved. Discussions in Berlin involved U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, focusing on a U.S.-authored 20-point peace plan. Proposed terms include NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine, reconstruction efforts, and measures to deter further Russian incursions, with … Continue reading Russia-Ukraine peace deal could be closer than ever, US officials signal

US military strikes 3 more boats in the Pacific Ocean, killing 8

The U.S. military carried out strikes on three suspected drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific on Monday, killing eight people, according to U.S. Southern Command. The operation, part of “Operation Southern Spear,” targets vessels linked to designated terrorist organizations and narcotics trafficking, with at least 95 people killed in previous strikes since September. The Trump administration considers the campaign an “armed conflict” against drug cartels, … Continue reading US military strikes 3 more boats in the Pacific Ocean, killing 8

Brown University shooting manhunt continues

Police continue searching for the gunman who killed two Brown University students and wounded nine others, releasing new videos and images of a person of interest seen near the campus on Saturday. Earlier, authorities had detained another individual at a hotel but released them after evidence pointed in a different direction, leaving no known suspect. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 … Continue reading Brown University shooting manhunt continues

PayPal applies to form bank that can offer small business loans and savings accounts

PayPal announced Monday that it has applied to form PayPal Bank, which would allow the company to offer loans to small businesses. The move, subject to review by the FDIC and Utah’s Department of Financial Institutions, aims to expand PayPal’s banking-like services and support economic growth. The bank would also offer interest-bearing savings accounts to customers, complementing existing credit lines, CNBC has reported. CEO Alex … Continue reading PayPal applies to form bank that can offer small business loans and savings accounts

Bank of Japan expected to hike rates to 30-year high

The Bank of Japan is expected to raise interest rates Friday for the first time since January, potentially hitting their highest level in 30 years and adding pressure to debt markets. Rising yields on Japanese government bonds and a weaker yen reflect concerns over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s fiscal policies and Japan’s heavy reliance on imports. Despite a 0.6% contraction in the third quarter, inflation … Continue reading Bank of Japan expected to hike rates to 30-year high

Ford pivoting to hybrids and dropping all-electric F-150

Ford is shifting its electric vehicle strategy, canceling the all-electric F-150 Lightning and focusing more on hybrid trucks and battery storage for data centers and the power grid. The company expects nearly $20 billion in charges through 2027, with over $5 billion in cash spent in the next two years, as it pivots to meet customer demand for more affordable, practical vehicles. Future F-150 Lightnings … Continue reading Ford pivoting to hybrids and dropping all-electric F-150

Remains of ancient king’s temple dedicated to sun god discovered in Egypt

Italian archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a sun temple belonging to King Nyuserre near Cairo, in the Abusir necropolis, the Egyptian antiquities ministry announced. The temple, dating to Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty, is part of a monumental complex dedicated to the sun god Ra and is among the few solar temples identified to date. Excavation revealed more than half of the structure, over 1,000 square … Continue reading Remains of ancient king’s temple dedicated to sun god discovered in Egypt

UPS Purchases 400 Robots to Unload Trucks in Automation Push

UPS will invest $120 million in 400 Pickle robots to automate unloading trucks, part of its broader $9 billion automation plan aimed at cutting labor costs and boosting profits. The robots use AI-powered arms on mobile bases to lift boxes up to 50 pounds from shipping containers onto conveyor belts, typically paying for themselves in 18 months. UPS plans to deploy the robots in multiple … Continue reading UPS Purchases 400 Robots to Unload Trucks in Automation Push

SpaceX launches Starlink satellites into orbit on 100th Falcon 9 flight

SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites from Florida early Monday, marking the 100th Falcon 9 flight from the state in 2025. The rocket lifted off at 12:25 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40 and reached space about 8 minutes and 40 seconds later. After a coast period and a second engine burn, the Falcon 9 upper stage deployed the satellites, completing the … Continue reading SpaceX launches Starlink satellites into orbit on 100th Falcon 9 flight

U.S. Army names 2 Iowa National Guard members killed in attack in Syria

Two Iowa National Guard members, Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, were killed in a weekend attack in Syria blamed on the Islamic State. A U.S. civilian interpreter was also killed, and three other Guard members were wounded, two in stable condition and one in good condition. The attack occurred near Palmyra during a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security … Continue reading U.S. Army names 2 Iowa National Guard members killed in attack in Syria