CERN upbeat as China halts particle accelerator mega-project

CERN’s director-general, Fabiola Gianotti, says China’s pause on its Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC) creates an opportunity for Europe’s own large particle accelerator plan. The CEPC, announced a decade ago, would have been 100 km long, dwarfing CERN’s 27-km Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which famously confirmed the Higgs boson in 2012. CERN is now considering the 91-km Future Circular Collider (FCC) to probe dark matter … Continue reading CERN upbeat as China halts particle accelerator mega-project

Sun unleashes intense X-class solar flare, triggering radio blackouts across Australia

Early on Dec. 8, the Sun unleashed a powerful X1.1-class solar flare from sunspot region AR4298, temporarily disrupting radio communications across Australia and parts of Southeast Asia. The flare, which peaked at 12:01 a.m. EST, also ejected a coronal mass ejection (CME), though initial analyses indicate it is not Earth-directed. The eruption adds to an active week of solar activity, with several earlier CMEs expected … Continue reading Sun unleashes intense X-class solar flare, triggering radio blackouts across Australia

NASA astronaut, two Russian cosmonauts return to Earth from space station

NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky safely returned to Earth Tuesday after an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station, landing on the Kazakh steppe. The Soyuz MS-27/73S undocked Monday evening, endured re-entry temperatures of 2,500°F, and parachuted to a precise landing at 12:03 a.m. EST. Russian recovery crews quickly extracted the crew, conducted medical checks, and prepared them for … Continue reading NASA astronaut, two Russian cosmonauts return to Earth from space station

PepsiCo to cut prices, eliminate products as part of a deal with an activist investor

PepsiCo announced plans to cut prices and eliminate nearly 20% of its product offerings by early next year, following pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which holds a $4 billion stake in the company. The company aims to use the savings to boost marketing, enhance consumer value, and accelerate the launch of products with simpler, functional ingredients, such as Doritos Protein and prebiotic cola. … Continue reading PepsiCo to cut prices, eliminate products as part of a deal with an activist investor

More than 1 in 4 self-checkout shoppers admit they’ve stolen: Survey

A recent LendingTree survey found that 27 percent of Americans who use self-checkout have intentionally taken an item without scanning it, up from 15 percent in 2023. Millennials (41 percent) and Gen Z adults (37 percent) were the most likely to admit to this, while Baby Boomers were least likely at 2 percent. Men (38 percent) were more than twice as likely as women (16 … Continue reading More than 1 in 4 self-checkout shoppers admit they’ve stolen: Survey

Florida designates Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will be designated as foreign terrorist organizations at the state level, following a similar move by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The order directs Florida agencies to prevent unlawful activities by these groups and deny resources to anyone providing material support, citing alleged links to violence, terrorism, and fundraising for … Continue reading Florida designates Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations

Car bomb kills 5 people, including 3 officers, in front of police station in Mexico

At least five people, including three police officers, were killed and three others injured when a car exploded near a police station in Coahuayana, Michoacán, Mexico, on Saturday. The explosion scattered human remains across the area and is under investigation by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office. Michoacán is a hotspot for drug cartel activity, including groups designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S., and criminal groups … Continue reading Car bomb kills 5 people, including 3 officers, in front of police station in Mexico

Protesting Greek farmers swarm onto airport tarmac in Crete

On Monday, angry farmers in Crete stormed the tarmac at Heraklion’s Nikos Kazantzakis airport, forcing a suspension of flights, while clashes erupted near Chania airport, leaving two people injured. The protests target delays in EU-backed agricultural subsidies, following a scandal revealing widespread fraudulent claims. Farmers across Greece have used tractors and vehicles to block roads, ports, and airports, disrupting traffic and freight transport, particularly at … Continue reading Protesting Greek farmers swarm onto airport tarmac in Crete

100 schoolchildren abducted in Nigeria are released

A total of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state, Nigeria, were released over the weekend and hosted at a government ceremony on Monday, appearing relieved but disoriented. At least 303 children and 12 teachers were seized on Nov. 21, with 50 escaping and about 150 still in captivity. Details of the release, including whether a ransom was paid, were not … Continue reading 100 schoolchildren abducted in Nigeria are released

UAE-backed separatists tighten grip over southern Yemen

Tensions in southern Yemen escalated on Monday after the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council seized control of parts of the oil-rich Hadhramaut province. In response, Yemen’s airspace was briefly closed, stranding hundreds of passengers, as the Saudi-led coalition reportedly withheld flight permissions to send a “message” to the separatists. The takeover highlights divisions within the anti-Houthi camp, which opposes Iran-backed Houthis controlling most of northern Yemen, … Continue reading UAE-backed separatists tighten grip over southern Yemen

Thailand-Cambodia fighting spreads along border as death toll rises 

Renewed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia over a long-disputed border have escalated, resulting in multiple deaths and thousands displaced. Cambodia reports that two more civilians were killed overnight, raising its total to seven, while Thailand says at least three of its soldiers have died. Both countries blame each other for breaking the fragile ceasefire established in July. The ceasefire had been hailed as a historic … Continue reading Thailand-Cambodia fighting spreads along border as death toll rises 

Bomb explosion kills over 30 in eastern Congo after army clashes with pro-government militia

A bomb explosion in eastern Congo’s Sange killed over 30 people and wounded 20 amid clashes between the Congolese army (FARDC) and the pro-government Wazalendo militia. The violence occurred just days after a U.S.-brokered peace deal aimed at ending fighting with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, highlighting continued instability despite the agreement. Residents described confusion and attacks that made it difficult to distinguish between soldiers … Continue reading Bomb explosion kills over 30 in eastern Congo after army clashes with pro-government militia

Officer testifies in evidence hearing about finding gun in Luigi Mangione’s bag

During Day 4 of pretrial hearings, body camera footage and testimony revealed that Altoona police searched accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione’s backpack without a warrant after arresting him at a McDonald’s. Officers debated whether a warrant was needed, with one noting the search might require one due to the case’s severity, while a supervisor justified it as a “search incident to arrest.” The search uncovered … Continue reading Officer testifies in evidence hearing about finding gun in Luigi Mangione’s bag

Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos

Congress is using the annual defense bill to pressure the Pentagon into releasing unedited videos of strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats off Latin America. Lawmakers plan to withhold a quarter of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until the footage is provided to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The videos focus on a controversial follow-up strike on Sept. 2 that killed two survivors … Continue reading Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos

Japan assesses damage from 7.5 magnitude quake that injured 33

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s northeastern coast late Monday, causing injuries, minor damage, and a small tsunami. At least 33 people were injured, mostly from falling objects, and a tsunami of up to 70 centimeters hit coastal communities, damaging some oyster rafts. Power outages affected about 800 homes, bullet train services were temporarily suspended, and roughly 480 residents took shelter at Hachinohe Air … Continue reading Japan assesses damage from 7.5 magnitude quake that injured 33

Former Trump lawyer Alina Habba resigns as New Jersey U.S. attorney after disqualification

Alina Habba, former defense lawyer for Donald Trump, resigned as U.S. attorney for New Jersey after judges ruled she was ineligible for the position due to the circumstances of her interim appointment. Habba will remain at the DOJ as a senior advisor to the attorney general, while the department plans to appeal the 3rd Circuit’s ruling. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the court’s decision, calling … Continue reading Former Trump lawyer Alina Habba resigns as New Jersey U.S. attorney after disqualification

Trump threatens 5% tariff on Mexico over water treaty violations affecting Texas farmers

President Donald Trump warned that Mexico’s failure to deliver water under the 1944 Water Treaty is harming Texas farmers and could trigger a 5% tariff if 200,000 acre-feet aren’t released by Dec. 31. Trump said Mexico still owes over 800,000 acre-feet from past years and accused the country of unfairly harming U.S. agriculture. Texas farm groups have faced severe drought-driven shortages, threatening crops, jobs, and … Continue reading Trump threatens 5% tariff on Mexico over water treaty violations affecting Texas farmers

Rep. Jasmine Crockett launches Senate run in Texas, shaking up Democratic primary

Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas launched a campaign for U.S. Senate, shaking up the Democratic primary just before the filing deadline. She argues she is the strongest Democrat to challenge Republican Sen. John Cornyn, saying she can mobilize a diverse coalition and address rising costs while holding Donald Trump accountable. Her entrance pushed former Rep. Colin Allred to exit the race, leaving Crockett to face … Continue reading Rep. Jasmine Crockett launches Senate run in Texas, shaking up Democratic primary

Judge orders top DOJ attorney to testify about Alien Enemies Act deportations

A federal judge has ordered top Justice Department attorneys to testify about the Trump administration’s controversial March deportations carried out under the Alien Enemies Act. The deportations sent more than 100 alleged gang members to a prison in El Salvador, despite the judge previously ordering the flights to be turned around. Judge James Boasberg is examining whether officials deliberately defied his instructions and whether their … Continue reading Judge orders top DOJ attorney to testify about Alien Enemies Act deportations

U.S. pushes Zelensky for swift yes on peace plan: Ukrainian officials

The U.S. is pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept major territorial concessions, particularly giving up all of the Donbas region, as part of President Trump’s peace proposal, according to Ukrainian officials. Kyiv believes the plan currently favors Moscow, especially after Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin and then urged Zelensky to agree quickly. While the U.S. insists it has … Continue reading U.S. pushes Zelensky for swift yes on peace plan: Ukrainian officials

White House announces $12 billion farmer bailout package

The Trump administration announced a $12 billion aid package to support farmers affected by tariffs and rising economic pressures. Funds will begin reaching farmers by Feb. 28, with applications opening soon. Most of the money will go to producers of major crops, while a smaller portion is reserved for specialty crop growers. Although Trump claimed the bailout was funded by tariffs, the money comes from … Continue reading White House announces $12 billion farmer bailout package

Stabbing on North Carolina commuter train draws Trump’s attention amid immigration crackdown

A stabbing on a Charlotte commuter train has sparked renewed attention from President Trump during his administration’s immigration enforcement push. Police say 33-year-old Oscar Solarzano, an undocumented immigrant previously deported twice, stabbed another passenger following an argument, leaving the victim in critical condition. Trump reacted on Truth Social, blaming local Democratic leadership for rising violence, while officials emphasized the incident was not random. The case … Continue reading Stabbing on North Carolina commuter train draws Trump’s attention amid immigration crackdown

Trump says Zelenskyy ‘hasn’t read U.S. peace proposal’ as tensions mount

Tensions have risen between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Trump criticized the Ukrainian president for not yet reading U.S. peace proposals. Trump claimed Ukrainian officials support the plan, while suggesting Russia might also accept it. His comments followed Miami talks between U.S. and Ukrainian teams that ended without agreement on a draft peace deal. Outstanding issues include the status of Russian-occupied Donbas and control … Continue reading Trump says Zelenskyy ‘hasn’t read U.S. peace proposal’ as tensions mount

SpaceX gets approval to build Starship launch complex at Cape Canaveral

The Department of the Air Force has approved SpaceX’s plan to convert the former Delta 4 launch site, SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral, into a Starship launch complex. The approval followed completion of an environmental impact statement, which found no major environmental concerns aside from significant noise and overpressure during launches and landings. An early plan to build an additional Starship site, SLC-50, was dropped due … Continue reading SpaceX gets approval to build Starship launch complex at Cape Canaveral

Paramount launches a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

Paramount has made a direct, all-cash offer to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders after WBD chose Netflix’s proposal last week. CEO David Ellison argues Paramount’s bid is superior, saying it offers $17.6 billion more cash than Netflix’s deal. Paramount offered $30 per share for the entire company, while Netflix offered $27.75 per share for Warner Bros. and HBO but believes later spinoffs of cable assets, like … Continue reading Paramount launches a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery