Author: Amanda Martinez

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he would likely grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the impending US ban. He stated that a decision would come after his inauguration on Monday.  The app, which boasts 170 million American users, is scheduled to shut down on Sunday, fueling nervous anticipation among its fans. By Sunday, the Chinese app must sever ties with its parent company, ByteDance, to resolve national security concerns. A Supreme Court decision on Friday upheld the deadline, intensifying the pressure. The Biden administration dismissed TikTok’s Friday comments, accusing the app of stunts and reiterating its stance on…

A court in Kolkata has convicted Sanjay Roy, a hospital volunteer, for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor. The Indian doctor rape and murder committed in August 2024 shocked the nation, spurred protests and raised concerns about the safety of healthcare workers. The victim, a 31-year-old doctor, was attacked at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital after completing a 36-hour shift. Her half-naked, injured body was found near the seminar hall podium by a colleague. According to investigators, Roy entered the hospital intoxicated and found her sleeping alone. Arrested the next day, Roy continues to claim innocence,…

Three lawyers who represented Alexei Navalny have been sentenced to jail. Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin, and Alexei Liptser were found guilty of participating in an “extremist organization.” This verdict raises concerns about Russia’s treatment of opposition leaders. The lawyers were arrested in October 2023. Russian authorities increased pressure on Navalny, who died suddenly in February 2024. The trial took place behind closed doors in Petushki. Many human rights organizations have condemned the verdict. They argue that the charges were trumped up and the trial was unfair. The lawyers’ jailing is seen as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in…

Gaza ceasefire faces delay after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed his cabinet meeting to approve the deal due to Hamas’s alleged last-minute crisis. The ceasefire deal mediated earlier this week was planned to begin on Sunday. Netanyahu claimed Hamas backtracked on parts of the agreement, calling it an attempt to extract further concessions. In a statement, Netanyahu said, “The Israeli cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement.” However, Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq reaffirmed the group’s commitment to a ceasefire. The Gaza ceasefire delay has sparked criticism and protests.…

Israel and Hamas, after 15 months of war, have finalized a Gaza ceasefire agreement, according to the mediators from Qatar and the United States—Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani. Qatar’s Prime Minister announced the deal would commence on Sunday, pending the approval of the Israeli cabinet. US President Joe Biden confirmed the agreement, emphasizing that it would halt the war in Gaza, deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and reunite hostages with their families. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Biden’s role in the negotiation and expressed gratitude for his contributions. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya credited Palestinian resilience for the…

The UK inflation crisis is sparking concern among consumers as inflation rates continue to climb. As a result, people are feeling pressured to pay more for products and services before they reach a breaking point. Take phone and broadband contracts, for instance. Many of these contracts are tied to inflation, meaning bills will increase in April. According to Uswitch, a comparison website, broadband bills are expected to rise by £21.99 per year, while mobile bills will increase by £15.90 per year. To make matters worse, many contracts now include expected price hikes. New rules require companies to disclose these increases…

Hollywood has united to support victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires which occurred on January 7; the fire has caused widespread destruction and taken at least 24 lives. With high winds fueling the blazes, six major fires have destroyed neighbourhoods and forced thousands to evacuate. Many celebrities directly impacted by the disaster have spoken about their losses while contributing to relief efforts. Celebrities Affected by the Wildfire The wildfire has affected numerous celebrity homes in the affluent neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Altadena. These figures publicly shared their losses, providing a somber glimpse into the devastation experienced across the…

Ghana’s economic crisis has sparked intense debate over the National Cathedral project, initiated by President Nana Akufo-Addo. The project has stalled due to non-payment to contractors, and the opposition property, NDC, demands its termination. Lawmaker Kwabena Mintah Akandoh argues that prioritizing a cathedral over healthcare and education is unreasonable. Ghana’s economy is showing signs of stabilization, thanks to authorities’ steadfast implementation of its IMF-supported economic program. The program aims to restore macroeconomic stability, secure debt sustainability and lay the foundations for higher and more inclusive growth. Although still high at 23.8%, inflation is headed in the right direction, down from…

A shocking case has emerged in Kerala, India, an 18-year-old Dalit woman accused 64 men of sexually abusing her since she was 13 years old. The indicted included her neighbors, sports coaches, and her father’s friends. The woman reported the alleged abuse after counselors visited her home. Police arrested 28 people in connection with the case. More arrests are expected and the accused range in age from 17 to 47 years old. The alleged abuse began when the girl was 13 years old. Her neighbor allegedly molested her and took explicit photographs. The abuse continued over the years. The woman…

On Friday, the Supreme Court deliberated on a proposed TikTok ban in the U.S., which could take effect on January 19 unless TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells its assets. Justices appeared inclined to uphold the law due to national security concerns tied to ByteDance’s obligation to cooperate with Chinese intelligence operations. Chief Justice John Roberts focused on the potential risks of TikTok’s connection to China, shedding light on its influence over sensitive user data and content algorithms. ByteDance insists it will not sell TikTok despite mounting pressure. Billionaire businessman Frank McCourt, joined by Kevin O’Leary’s consortium, reportedly submitted a…

María Corina Machado, the opposition leader of Venezuela, was briefly arrested for her remarks at a protest against Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration in Caracas. Security forces allegedly shot at the motorcycles carrying Machado and violently stopped her convoy. Machado, 57, was forced to record videos while in custody before her release hours later. Information Minister Freddy Nanez rejected the detention rumors as a fake media diversion. The opposition and many global governments continue to reject Maduro’s win. Despite heavy presence, opposition groups urged mass protests to challenge Maduro’s rule and election claim. In Valencia, police fired tear gas to disperse crowds.…

Trump’s hush money case, the first criminal trial of a president, ended when a judge sentenced him to an unconditional discharge. According to Justice Juan Merchan, this ruling enables the new president to take office without being hampered by legal proceedings.  The case, which focused on hush-money payments during the 2016 campaign, resulted in Trump’s felony conviction in May 2024. Despite the historic nature of this trial, Justice Merchan explained that it ultimately followed standard judicial procedures within the courtroom. Trump’s sentence was delayed due to Supreme Court rulings and the November election but concluded with his remarkable political comeback.…