China’s Xi tells Trump Taiwan’s ‘return’ key to post-war order

Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump that Taiwan’s “return to China” is a key element of the post-World War II international order, according to state media. Xi emphasized that the U.S. and China once fought together in WWII and should now cooperate to preserve its outcomes. The call came amid China’s heightened tensions with Japan following comments suggesting Tokyo could respond militarily … Continue reading China’s Xi tells Trump Taiwan’s ‘return’ key to post-war order

Pentagon says it’s investigating Sen. Mark Kelly for breach of military law

The Pentagon is investigating Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona after he co-released a video urging service members and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders. The review cites federal laws prohibiting actions that could undermine loyalty, morale, or discipline in the military, and may lead to court-martial or administrative action. Kelly, a former Navy captain, said he learned of the investigation via social media and … Continue reading Pentagon says it’s investigating Sen. Mark Kelly for breach of military law

US judge throws out criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James

A federal judge dismissed the criminal indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that former Trump attorney Lindsey Halligan, who brought the cases, was not lawfully appointed. Judge Cameron Currie found Halligan lacked authority to present the indictments, making all actions she took in the cases unlawful, and issued similar rulings for both defendants. The indictments were … Continue reading US judge throws out criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James

Marjorie Taylor Greene refutes reports that she’s considering running for president

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia denied reports that she plans to run for president, saying she has only laughed at such suggestions. Greene recently announced she will resign from Congress in January, citing frustration with her party and a break with former President Trump after he withdrew his support. She criticized the demands and challenges of a presidential campaign, saying it would prevent her … Continue reading Marjorie Taylor Greene refutes reports that she’s considering running for president

Israel kills top Hezbollah commander in attack on Lebanon’s capital

Hezbollah confirmed that its top military commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on an apartment block in southern Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood. Tabatabai, chief of staff of Hezbollah’s armed wing, was among at least five people killed, with 28 others wounded in the strike. Israel said it “eliminated” Tabatabai, marking its third attempt to target him since last year’s war, and Prime … Continue reading Israel kills top Hezbollah commander in attack on Lebanon’s capital

US woman behind Slender Man stabbing is missing after leaving group home

Morgan Geyser, who admitted to stabbing a classmate in 2014 to please the fictional online character Slender Man, is missing after cutting off her electronic monitoring device and leaving a Wisconsin group home. Authorities said she was last seen Saturday evening with an adult acquaintance and urged anyone who spots her to call 911. Geyser, now 23, had been placed in the group home after … Continue reading US woman behind Slender Man stabbing is missing after leaving group home

G20 summit closes in South Africa after U.S. absence

The G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa was the first held on the African continent and marked an unusual U.S. boycott. The Trump administration skipped the event after making claims about land confiscations and killings in South Africa and objecting to the summit’s diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda. The summit also broke tradition by issuing a declaration at the start rather than the end and … Continue reading G20 summit closes in South Africa after U.S. absence

Bolsonaro arrested to prevent ‘attempted escape’

Brazil’s federal police arrested former president Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday over suspicion he attempted to evade a 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt. The arrest followed a Supreme Court order after reports that Bolsonaro’s ankle monitor, worn during house arrest, had been tampered with, which he later admitted in court footage. Bolsonaro’s supporters staged a religious act in his favor outside the prison, … Continue reading Bolsonaro arrested to prevent ‘attempted escape’

4 people wounded in shooting at North Carolina Christmas tree lighting ceremony

Four people were shot Friday evening during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Concord, North Carolina, leaving three in critical condition and one in stable condition. Police are reviewing event footage, interviewing witnesses, and asking the public for videos or photos to help determine what led to the shooting. Online images showed crowds fleeing as emergency vehicles filled the street, and authorities have not yet … Continue reading 4 people wounded in shooting at North Carolina Christmas tree lighting ceremony

14-year-old killed, 8 injured in shootings during holiday festivities in downtown Chicago

A 14-year-old boy was killed and eight others were injured in two separate shootings in downtown Chicago on Friday night. Police first responded around 10:40 p.m. to South Dearborn Street, where the 14-year-old was fatally shot and an 18-year-old man was seriously wounded. Less than an hour earlier, officers near the Chicago Theater heard gunfire and found seven people shot as a large crowd fled … Continue reading 14-year-old killed, 8 injured in shootings during holiday festivities in downtown Chicago

Germany wants to build EU’s strongest army

Germany plans major military reforms to build what Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls Europe’s strongest army, aiming to expand its forces to 260,000 soldiers and 200,000 reservists by 2035. A new bill would prioritize voluntary enlistment with higher pay and incentives, while allowing mandatory call-ups if recruitment targets fall short. The push comes amid rising fears of Russian aggression, shifting U.S. security commitments, and warnings from … Continue reading Germany wants to build EU’s strongest army

US Hails ‘Significant Step Forward’ In Ukraine ‘Peace Framework’ Talks

The White House said peace talks in Switzerland represented a “significant step forward” and stressed that any agreement must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty. A joint US-Ukraine statement confirmed that negotiators produced an updated and refined peace framework. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Ukrainian and European officials in Geneva to advance discussions on ending the war. Despite President Trump’s deadline for Kyiv to approve … Continue reading US Hails ‘Significant Step Forward’ In Ukraine ‘Peace Framework’ Talks

Europe agrees to invite Putin back into G8

A new European peace plan offers to bring Vladimir Putin back onto the world stage by readmitting Russia into the G8 in exchange for several concessions. The proposal, drafted by the UK, Germany, and France, caps Ukraine’s army, calls for early elections, and begins territorial negotiations from the current front line, while dropping earlier demands that Ukraine surrender the Donbas. The plan contrasts sharply with … Continue reading Europe agrees to invite Putin back into G8

Bitcoin continues slide that’s roiling markets

Bitcoin fell as much as 6% early Friday, briefly dipping near the key $80,000 support level as investors pulled back from risk assets. Analysts say selling pressure has intensified due to renewed activity from long-term holders, shrinking ETF inflows, and cascading liquidations that began in October. Although the cryptocurrency later recovered part of its losses, it remains down 12% this week, 26% over the past … Continue reading Bitcoin continues slide that’s roiling markets

Putin, Zelenskyy respond to Trump’s peace plan

President Donald Trump is pressuring Ukraine and Russia to accept a 28-point peace plan before Thanksgiving, but both President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Vladimir Putin expressed skepticism about its viability. The plan requires Ukraine to make major concessions—including cutting its military in half and ceding additional territory—sparking fears in Kyiv that accepting it would amount to capitulation. Zelenskyy warned Ukrainians that the country faces an … Continue reading Putin, Zelenskyy respond to Trump’s peace plan

Army tests out first robotically-operated dining facility

The U.S. Army is testing an autonomous dining facility in South Korea, called Market 19, where a robotic system portions, cooks, and plates meals selected through a touchscreen interface. The system prepares dishes using official Army recipes and offers options including Korean meals such as bibimbap, kimchi fried rice, and budae jjigae. While the kitchen is automated, culinary specialists still handle food safety, ingredient preparation, … Continue reading Army tests out first robotically-operated dining facility

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will resign, after fallout with Trump

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced Friday night that she will resign from Congress effective Jan. 5, citing a dramatic breakdown in her relationship with President Donald Trump. Once one of Trump’s strongest allies, Greene said the president turned on her—calling her a “traitor” and “lunatic”—after she supported releasing DOJ files related to Jeffrey Epstein and criticized his priorities. Trump withdrew his endorsement and signaled support … Continue reading Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will resign, after fallout with Trump

Grizzly bear on loose after attacking school group in Canada, injuring 11

A grizzly bear attacked a group of students and teachers in the Bella Coola Valley of British Columbia’s Nuxalk Nation on Thursday, leaving two people critically injured and two others seriously hurt. The attack occurred when the group stopped along a trail near a river and a bear suddenly emerged from the forest. Teachers intervened using bear spray and a bear banger to drive the … Continue reading Grizzly bear on loose after attacking school group in Canada, injuring 11

Vance says Americans need patience on prices but says ‘We hear you’

Vice President JD Vance offered a direct message on Thursday about Americans’ cost-of-living concerns, telling citizens, “We hear you” and urging “a little bit of patience.” He emphasized that the Trump administration has made significant progress undoing Biden-era policies but acknowledged it will take time for all Americans to feel the economic benefits. Vance’s remarks come as the White House struggles to address affordability, which … Continue reading Vance says Americans need patience on prices but says ‘We hear you’

California police officer dies after pursuit ends in high-speed collision

Officer Alec Sanders, a 28-year-old member of the Alhambra Police Department, was killed early Thursday during a high-speed pursuit when a fleeing SUV collided with his patrol vehicle. A female passenger in the suspect’s vehicle also died, while another passenger was critically injured and the driver sustained moderate injuries. Sanders, who previously served with the Long Beach Police Department, had joined Alhambra’s force eight months … Continue reading California police officer dies after pursuit ends in high-speed collision

Former GOP staffer charged with fabricating anti-MAGA assault

Former congressional staffer Natalie Greene, 26, has been charged with conspiracy and making false statements after allegedly staging a politically motivated attack against herself. Prosecutors say Greene and a co-conspirator fabricated a story that three men assaulted her, bound her with zip ties, and carved derogatory political messages into her skin. Investigators later found that Greene had paid a scarification artist for the cuts and … Continue reading Former GOP staffer charged with fabricating anti-MAGA assault

Indicted House Dem will step down from committee leadership position

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida Democrat, is stepping down from her leadership role on a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee after being indicted, as required by House Democratic Caucus rules. She faces charges of stealing federal disaster relief funds, funneling the money into her congressional campaign through straw donors, and conspiring to file a false tax return. Cherfilus-McCormick called the indictment a “baseless” and “unjust sham,” … Continue reading Indicted House Dem will step down from committee leadership position

In reversal, DOJ says Comey indictment was reviewed by full grand jury

Federal prosecutors reversed their position Thursday and said the full grand jury had reviewed and approved the two-count indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, contradicting statements made in court the previous day. During Wednesday’s hearing, U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons both testified that the revised indictment was never shown to the entire grand jury, prompting Comey’s attorney to argue … Continue reading In reversal, DOJ says Comey indictment was reviewed by full grand jury

Maine Mom Challenges Court Order Forbidding Her to Take Daughter to Church

The Maine Supreme Court is reviewing a lower-court order that bars a mother from taking her 12-year-old daughter to church after the child’s father claimed the religious environment caused psychological harm. The district court restricted nearly all religious activity for the girl after an expert witness described the family’s evangelical church as “cultic” and linked its teachings to the child’s anxiety and panic attacks. Liberty … Continue reading Maine Mom Challenges Court Order Forbidding Her to Take Daughter to Church

French general: Country must prepare to ‘lose its children’ in war with Russia

France’s new armed forces chief, Gen. Fabien Mandon, warned that the country must be ready to “lose its children” in a potential war with Russia within the next three to four years, citing a lack of societal “spirit” to endure necessary sacrifices. His remarks, linking France’s rearmament to the ongoing war in Ukraine, sparked backlash across the political spectrum, with critics accusing him of warmongering … Continue reading French general: Country must prepare to ‘lose its children’ in war with Russia