Trump leaves military action against Venezuela on the table but floats possible talks

President Trump said he might engage in diplomatic talks with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro but did not rule out military action against Venezuela, citing Maduro’s alleged role in drug trafficking and migration issues. The U.S. recently deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford and conducted strikes on vessels suspected of transporting drugs, actions seen by some as pressure tactics on Maduro. Analysts note the administration is signaling an ultimatum: … Continue reading Trump leaves military action against Venezuela on the table but floats possible talks

Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister sentenced to death for role in protest crackdown

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her home minister, Asaduzzaman Khan, to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to last year’s student-led uprising, which the UN says killed up to 1,400 people. The tribunal, modeled on the Nuremberg trials, defended its process as meeting international standards, while Hasina called the verdict politically motivated and denied any wrongdoing. The … Continue reading Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister sentenced to death for role in protest crackdown

Japan says warplanes scrambled as Chinese drone detected near southern island

Japan scrambled fighter jets after spotting a suspected Chinese drone near Yonaguni Island, close to Taiwan, amid rising tensions with Beijing. The following day, Chinese coast guard vessels entered Japanese territorial waters around the disputed Senkaku Islands, a frequent flashpoint between the two countries. The incidents coincided with anger from China over remarks by Japan’s new conservative prime minister suggesting Tokyo could intervene militarily if … Continue reading Japan says warplanes scrambled as Chinese drone detected near southern island

Off-duty US pilot who tried to crash plane midair will not serve prison time

A federal judge ruled that former Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson, who tried to shut off a plane’s engines while off duty in 2023, will serve no additional prison time beyond what he has already served. Emerson, who blamed his actions on a mental breakdown triggered by hallucinogenic mushrooms and extreme sleep deprivation, received three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to interfering with … Continue reading Off-duty US pilot who tried to crash plane midair will not serve prison time

Judge scolds Justice Department for ‘profound investigative missteps’ in Comey case

A federal magistrate judge ruled that the Justice Department committed a “disturbing pattern” of serious investigative errors in securing the grand jury indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. Judge William Fitzpatrick cited fundamental legal misstatements to the grand jury, possible use of privileged communications, and irregularities in the grand jury transcript. He ordered prosecutors to turn over all grand jury materials to Comey’s defense … Continue reading Judge scolds Justice Department for ‘profound investigative missteps’ in Comey case

Congress is expected to release all Epstein files

White House officials worry that even if Congress forces full release of the Epstein files, public suspicion about a hidden “client list” will persist despite their insistence no such list exists. President Trump, unable to stop the vote after GOP resistance, ultimately agreed to support releasing Justice Department records. The administration remains frustrated, arguing that all legally releasable information has already been provided and that … Continue reading Congress is expected to release all Epstein files

UN security council votes to endorse Donald Trump’s Gaza plan

The UN Security Council approved a US-backed resolution incorporating Donald Trump’s proposals for Gaza, including an international stabilisation force and a conditional path toward a Palestinian state. Israel’s government reaffirmed its opposition to a Palestinian state, while Hamas rejected the plan as imposing international guardianship and vowed not to disarm. The measure passed 13–0, with China and Russia abstaining, and included references to Palestinian statehood … Continue reading UN security council votes to endorse Donald Trump’s Gaza plan

Divers seeking lost shipwreck near Toronto find an even older mystery

A Canadian dive team exploring Lake Ontario may have discovered a shipwreck far older and more intact than originally expected, potentially predating the Rapid City by 50 years. The vessel’s standing masts, rope rigging, and early windlass design suggest it could date to the first half of the 19th century, offering a rare look into an under-documented period of Great Lakes shipbuilding. Archaeologist James Conolly … Continue reading Divers seeking lost shipwreck near Toronto find an even older mystery

AI-Powered Stuffed Animal Pulled From Market After Disturbing Interactions With Children

FoloToy is pulling its AI-powered teddy bear “Kumma” after a safety report found it gave dangerous and inappropriate advice to children, including instructions on lighting matches and sexual content. The toy, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, was shown to bypass safety guardrails during extended conversations, providing increasingly disturbing answers. FoloToy said it will suspend sales and conduct a comprehensive internal safety audit, working with outside … Continue reading AI-Powered Stuffed Animal Pulled From Market After Disturbing Interactions With Children

SpaceX launches Sentinel-6B ocean-mapping satellite to orbit

SpaceX launched the Sentinel-6B ocean-mapping satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Monday, marking the company’s 500th orbital mission using a reused Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite continues the Copernicus program’s mission to precisely measure global sea surface heights and monitor rising oceans, a key indicator of climate change. Sentinel-6B carries a radar altimeter from the European Space Agency and a NASA microwave radiometer to … Continue reading SpaceX launches Sentinel-6B ocean-mapping satellite to orbit

Bitcoin falls to six-month low as investors turn risk averse

Bitcoin fell below $96,000 on Friday for the first time in over six months, marking a nearly 24% decline since its October peak. Traders pulled back from risky assets amid fading hopes for a Federal Reserve interest-rate cut in December, with the odds of a quarter-point reduction dropping to 45.9%. Ether also fell nearly 2% to $3,169.39, while tech stocks saw mixed movements after a … Continue reading Bitcoin falls to six-month low as investors turn risk averse

Trump’s $2,000 tariff check requires new law, Bessent says

President Trump’s plan to send $2,000 tariff dividend checks to most Americans would require new legislation, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. The proposal has gained attention as the administration addresses an affordability crisis, with Trump suggesting the checks target low- and middle-income households. Bessent confirmed the payments would have an income limit and focus on working families. Challenges include potential inflationary effects and a pending … Continue reading Trump’s $2,000 tariff check requires new law, Bessent says

Sen. John Fetterman says he’s “back home” from hospital after falling

Sen. John Fetterman was released from the hospital after sustaining minor facial injuries from a fall last week. He shared a photo on social media showing 20 stitches and thanked the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for his care. The fall occurred after Fetterman felt lightheaded due to a ventricular fibrillation flare-up, an irregular heartbeat. Fetterman has a history of health issues, including a stroke … Continue reading Sen. John Fetterman says he’s “back home” from hospital after falling

10-year-old boy among dead following NJ shooting that killed 2, injured 3

A mass shooting in Newark on Saturday evening killed a 21-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy, while wounding an 11-year-old and two men, ages 19 and 60. The gunman opened fire on Chancellor Avenue, leaving at least 17 evidence markers at the scene, and authorities are actively investigating. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called the shooting “depraved and senseless” and urged the perpetrator to surrender. Police … Continue reading 10-year-old boy among dead following NJ shooting that killed 2, injured 3

Trump blasts Indiana Republicans who defied redistricting pressure

President Trump criticized Indiana Republicans for resisting his push to redraw congressional maps mid-decade, threatening that anyone who votes against redistricting “should be primaried.” He specifically targeted Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, Sen. Greg Goode, and Governor Mike Braun for allegedly obstructing efforts to expand Republican House control. Despite Trump’s pressure, the Indiana Senate determined there was insufficient support to move forward with new … Continue reading Trump blasts Indiana Republicans who defied redistricting pressure

Body of young girl swept into Pacific is found off California

A 7-year-old girl swept into the Pacific near Garrapata State Beach in Central California was found dead Sunday, shortly after a diver located her body about 100 yards offshore. Her father, Yuji Hu, 39, died after trying to save her, while her mother was rescued with minor hypothermia. The family’s 2-year-old child was unharmed. The deaths occurred amid a winter-pattern storm that produced 15–20-foot surf, … Continue reading Body of young girl swept into Pacific is found off California

UN peacekeepers say Israeli forces fire on them in southern Lebanon

Israeli soldiers fired at UNIFIL peacekeepers near a position in Lebanese territory on Sunday, with heavy-machinegun rounds landing just meters from the personnel, who were able to leave safely after the tank withdrew. Israel claimed the attack was accidental, blaming poor weather and mistaking the UN patrol for suspects. UNIFIL condemned the incident as a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended … Continue reading UN peacekeepers say Israeli forces fire on them in southern Lebanon

Iran begins cloud seeding to induce rain amid historic drought

Iran has conducted cloud-seeding operations over the Urmia lake basin to combat its worst drought in decades, with further efforts planned in East and West Azerbaijan. Urmia, the country’s largest lake, has largely dried up, and rainfall nationwide is at record lows, leaving reservoirs nearly empty. Cloud-seeding involves injecting chemicals like silver or potassium iodide into clouds to encourage condensation and rainfall. Authorities warned of … Continue reading Iran begins cloud seeding to induce rain amid historic drought

Dozens killed in DR Congo after bridge collapses at copper, cobalt mine

At least 32 people were killed when a makeshift bridge collapsed at the Kalando copper and cobalt mine in southeastern DRC, amid overcrowding by wildcat miners. The incident occurred despite a formal ban on access due to heavy rain and landslide risks, and panic was reportedly triggered by soldiers firing at the site. The mine has long been contested between independent miners, a cooperative, and … Continue reading Dozens killed in DR Congo after bridge collapses at copper, cobalt mine

Greece and Ukraine sign a US gas supply deal as Zelenskyy visits Athens

Ukraine signed a deal in Athens on Sunday to receive U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) via pipelines from Greece’s port of Alexandroupolis to Odesa, starting in January, during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit. Until then, Greece will supply Ukraine with natural gas to meet winter needs and compensate for Russian attack damage to its energy infrastructure. The agreement followed an energy meeting in Greece in early … Continue reading Greece and Ukraine sign a US gas supply deal as Zelenskyy visits Athens

Hundreds of thousands rally in Manila against flood-control corruption scandal

Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, including about 650,000 members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, gathered in Manila on Sunday for the largest rally yet demanding accountability for a flood-control corruption scandal. Investigations revealed that thousands of flood defense projects were substandard or nonexistent, with lawmakers and public works officials allegedly taking kickbacks from construction companies. Smaller protests also took place, including one in Quezon City … Continue reading Hundreds of thousands rally in Manila against flood-control corruption scandal

India arrests suspect in New Delhi car blast that killed 10

India’s National Investigating Agency arrested Amir Rashid Ali from Indian-controlled Kashmir on suspicion of helping a suicide bomber carry out a deadly car explosion in New Delhi. The blast near the Red Fort on Monday killed 10 people and injured 32, with Umar Un Nabi, a Kashmiri doctor, identified as the suspected driver and suicide bomber. The attack followed the dismantling of a suspected militant … Continue reading India arrests suspect in New Delhi car blast that killed 10

Ecuadorian drug gang leader captured in Spain years after faking his death

Ecuadorian authorities captured Wilmer Chavarria, aka “Pipo,” one of the country’s most wanted drug traffickers, in Malaga, Spain, years after he faked his death and relocated there. Chavarria is believed to lead Los Lobos, a drug trafficking group of around 8,000 members linked to political assassinations and collaborations with Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel. He reportedly coordinated drug shipments, ordered killings, and ran extortion schemes … Continue reading Ecuadorian drug gang leader captured in Spain years after faking his death

Japan seeks to calm escalating spat with China over Taiwan

Japan is seeking to ease tensions with China after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan could trigger a military response. Japanese official Masaaki Kanai will meet his Chinese counterpart in Beijing to clarify that Takaichi’s remarks do not indicate a change in Japan’s security policy and to urge China to avoid actions that further damage bilateral ties. The … Continue reading Japan seeks to calm escalating spat with China over Taiwan

Communist and far-right candidates head to Chile presidential run-off

Chile’s presidential election will go to a December run-off between Communist Party candidate Jeannette Jara and far-right candidate José Antonio Kast, as no contender won outright in Sunday’s first round. The campaign focused heavily on crime and immigration, with both candidates pledging tougher measures against gangs and illegal migration. Kast, who narrowly trailed Jara, is expected to consolidate right-wing votes from other candidates, potentially shifting … Continue reading Communist and far-right candidates head to Chile presidential run-off