Author: Amanda Martinez

Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, the 71-year-old Chinese government spy, was sentenced to ten years in jail. Native of Hong Kong who became a US citizen, Ma revealed to an undercover FBI agent he had sold US intelligence secrets to China, which resulted in his August 2020 arrest. Ma was employed by the CIA from 1982 until his brief re-entry into the FBI in 1989. Ma’s plea deal mandates that he work with US government authorities for the remainder of his life, which includes taking part in polygraph examinations and debriefings. US lawyers claim that Ma has been helpful and participated…

The SpaceX commercial spacewalk was completed on September 12, 2024, marking a significant turning point in the history of space travel. The crew of the Polaris Dawn mission made history on the third day of their five-day trip around Earth’s orbit. Polaris Dawn’s crew included captain Jared Isaacman, mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, and pilot Scott Kidd Poteet. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where Apollo 11 lifted off, hosted SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch on September 10. Polaris Dawn reached a new high point of 870 miles during its mission, beating Gemini 11’s previous record. The Crew Dragon Resilience ship…

Alberto Fujimori, Peru’s former president, has died at 86 after battling tongue cancer. His daughter, Keiko Fujimori, announced his passing on social media, describing it as a “long battle with cancer.” Fujimori served as president from 1990 to 2000, leaving a legacy of controversy. He was credited with defeating the Shining Path rebel group, but his methods sparked allegations of human rights abuses. His government’s crackdown resulted in an estimated 69,000 deaths, mainly among poor indigenous communities. Fujimori fled Peru amid corruption allegations but was later arrested and deported. A presidential pardon reinstated last December freed Fujimori from prison, despite…

Malaysian police rescued 402 minors from 20 care homes after receiving abuse allegations. The victims, aged one to 17, suffered physical and sexual abuse. Police Inspector-General Razarudin Husain said suspects, including religious teachers and caretakers, used religion to justify abuse. They claimed physical contact was part of a religious treatment, but this was a lie. Police launched raids across two states after reports of child exploitation and sexual abuse surfaced. They arrested 171 suspects, aged 17 to 64. Parents placed many children in these homes for religious education, investigators found. The case links to the Islamic Global Ikhwan Group (GISB),…

On Tuesday, amid a severe heatwave, firefighters battled three large California wildfires, casting menacing plumes of smoke over the skies east of Los Angeles. Authorities were compelled to issue evacuation orders for the whole village of Wrightwood, home to about 4,500 people, and the ski town of Big Bear, as the fires threatened tens of thousands of houses and structures. The sheriff of Los Angeles County, Robert Luna, advised people to leave, stressing that no item was worth endangering their lives. Famous for its cottages from the 1930s, Wrightwood has grown more susceptible to flames in recent years. As shown…

Immediately focusing on Trump’s ego, Kamala Harris’s debate strategy exposed it as a weakness in their first debate. Harris used a more personal approach, teasing the former president’s perception of himself, something he seldom had to face in the regulated spaces of his rallies, instead of challenging his ideas or record. Harris immediately attacked Trump’s self-perception, calling him a disgrace, questioning the loyalty of his fans, and disparaging his reputation among world leaders. She even suggested that a significant amount of Trump’s fortune originates from his father’s money, casting doubt on his long-standing claim to be a self-made businessman. These…

Violent clashes erupted at an anti-war protest in Melbourne, Australia, leaving dozens arrested and injured. The demonstration targeted a military hardware sales show, with over 1,000 corporations from 31 countries expected to attend. Protesters, many waving Palestinian flags, accused Israeli forces of using the showcased weapons in Gaza. Police anticipated unrest and deployed extra forces but were met with rocks, manure, and acid-filled bottles. Authorities condemned the violence, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasizing the right to peaceful protest. “You don’t protest by throwing things at police,” he said. The protest turned chaotic, with dumpsters pushed towards police lines, fires…

Apple’s tax ruling finally concluded, with Europe’s top court ordering the company to pay Ireland €13 billion in unpaid taxes. The European Commission initially accused Ireland of giving Apple unauthorized tax breaks in 2016. Conversely, Ireland has always denied the need for reparations. Regardless of the ruling, the Irish government has stated it will abide by the court’s ruling. Apple disagreed and claimed that the European Commission had already changed the legislation. The court concluded that Apple had received illegal state assistance from Ireland between 1991 and 2014. Apple was eligible for lower taxes under the agreement, which excluded other…

Super typhoon Yagi, the worst storm to hit Vietnam in thirty years, has severely devastated the country’s northern sections. As of Tuesday, according to officials, there have been at least 127 confirmed deaths and 54 unreported deaths. When the storm hit land on Saturday, it left significant flooding, landslides, and heavy rain behind. Hundreds of people are stranded on rooftops in many regions as a result of the disaster, and many of them have posted frantic pleas for help on social media. Yagi has caused significant damage to infrastructure and has cut off electricity to 1.5 million people. In a…

Tragedy struck when Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei was brutally killed by her ex-partner, Dickson Ndiema. He ambushed her, doused her with petrol, and set her on fire. Cheptegei suffered burns to over 80% of her body and died four days later. Ndiema, the main suspect, faced charges for Cheptegei’s murder. However, he died Monday night from severe burns he sustained during the attack. He had been admitted to the hospital with burns covering over 40% of his body. The motive behind the attack was a land dispute in northwest Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained. Neighbors reported hearing screams…

Russia faced a barrage of drone attacks from Ukraine overnight, resulting in one death and multiple fires in residential buildings. The attacks involved 144 drones and targeted various regions, including Moscow, Bryansk, and Kursk. In Moscow, Governor Andrei Vorobyov reported that several apartments in two high-rise buildings caught fire, leaving a 46-year-old woman dead and three others injured. The fires forced the evacuation of 43 people to temporary shelters. The Kremlin swiftly responded, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that the attacks demonstrated Ukraine’s hostility towards Russia. Peskov emphasized the need for Russia to continue its military operation in Ukraine to…

Boeing offered a 25% pay increase for its staff over the next four years to prevent a walkout that could shut down its manufacturing lines. If approved, the agreement will be a major accomplishment for Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, who must improve the company’s reputation. Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Pope emphasized the deal’s benefits and referred to it as a historic proposal. Representing over 30,000 employees, union representatives have encouraged members to back the proposal. They’ve been calling it the best bargain they have ever worked out. On Thursday, employees from Boeing’s Portland and Seattle offices will cast their…