Author: Amanda Martinez

President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to postpone an upcoming TikTok ban while seeking a political resolution. His legal team filed a brief stating that Trump opposes the ban and prefers to address concerns through negotiation after taking office. The court will hear arguments on a law mandating ByteDance sell TikTok to an American company on January 10. One day before Trump’s inauguration, on January 19, a countrywide TikTok ban would begin for noncompliance. The bill alleges national security threats due to alleged ties between ByteDance and the Chinese government, which the firm disputes. Despite bipartisan support for…

Conservationists are celebrating a milestone in recovering two critically endangered snail species. Over 1,300 pea-sized snails were bred in captivity island, bringing the species back to the wild after being believed extinct for a century. The tiny mollusks, native to the Desertas Islands, were thought to have been eaten to extinction by invasion predators such as rats, mice, and goats. However, a series of conservation expeditions between 2012 and 2017 discovered a small population of just 200 surviving individuals on the island of Deserta Granade. The Desertas Island snails were collected and brought into captivity, where they were bred in…

Iranian authorities arrested Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Tehran on December 19, detaining her in solitary confinement for a week. Sala, 29, a war correspondent for Il Foglio and Chora Media, held a regular journalist visa during her assignment in Iran. Her reporting focused on the changing regional dynamics after Syria’s Assad regime fell. The Italian foreign ministry announced her arrest on Friday, emphasizing coordinated diplomatic efforts to resolve her detention. Tehran’s infamous Evin prison, where Sala is being held, has long faced criticism for harsh conditions and security-related detentions. Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, confirmed Sala’s “good health” following…

Foggy weather is causing widespread disruptions at some of the UK’s busiest airports, including Gatwick and Manchester. The UK’s main air traffic control provider, Nats, has reduced the flow of flights for safety reasons. Due to the fog, temporary air traffic restrictions are in place at several airports across the UK—Nats is working closely with airports and airlines to minimize disruption. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline and airport. Many flights out of Manchester Airport have been delayed or canceled due to the foggy weather. Data from flight tracking website Flightradar24 shows dozens…

Trump allies clash over the H-1B visa program, igniting tensions within the upcoming administration. Vivek Ramaswamy, tapped to lead Trump’s cost-cutting initiatives, defended the program on X while criticizing American cultural attitudes. “Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence,” Ramaswamy urged, praising skilled overseas workers. Trump’s anti-immigrant followers and far-right influencers swiftly reacted negatively to his statement, escalating the existing immigration controversy. Ramaswamy’s arguments were bolstered by Elon Musk, co-director of Trump’s planned “Department of Government Efficiency,” who said that H-1B visas draw great talent worldwide. Musk compared the United States to a successful sports club that needs its…

NATO announced plans to strengthen its military presence in the Baltic Sea following accusations of Russian sabotage of critical infrastructure. Estonia responded to the Baltic Sea cable sabotage by deploying a patrol vessel, Raju, to safeguard its remaining Estlink 1 underwater power cable. Finnish authorities suspect the Eagle S, an oil tanker from Russia’s “shadow fleet,” of damaging Estonia’s Estlink 2 cable. The Finnish coast guard boarded the ship, missing an anchor, and escorted it into Finnish waters for further investigation. The European Union condemned the incident as the latest in a string of attacks on critical infrastructure. Estonian Defence…

The US has imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the Georgian Dream party. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Ivanishvili and his party have derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, leaving it vulnerable to Russia. Ivanishvili, a former prime minister of Georgia, has been instrumental in shaping the country’s politics. His party, Georgian Dream, has been in power for 12 years. The sanctions come amid allegations of fraud in recent elections, in which Georgian Dream claimed victory. The party’s actions have sparked widespread protests, with opposition MPs boycotting the new parliament. The Situation has been exacerbated by…

A recent Israeli strike in the central Gaza Strip has killed five Palestinian journalists. The journalists, employed by Quds Today, were in a van parked outside al-Awda Hospital when it got hit. The vehicle displayed “press” markings. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed they had targeted “Islamic Jihad operatives posing as journalists”. However, Quds Today stated that the men were killed while carrying out their media and humanitarian duties. Asher Minns from Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research emphasizes that journalist safety is crucial. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for accountability for Palestinian journalists directly targeted by…

Norfolk is at the forefront of the UK’s goal to become a clean energy superpower, with five major solar farms proposed for the county. This development has sparked a heated debate about the benefits and drawbacks of solar farms in Norfolk’s Solar Farms Debate. Proponents argue that solar farms are essential for improving energy security. Asher Minns from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research emphasizes that energy security is “absolutely paramount.” He believes generating electricity through solar power is crucial. However, opponents are concerned about the potential impact on food production and the local landscape. Lord Fuller, former leader…

Alaska legislators have launched a probe into the management of the 2024 election, following complaints from citizens. Carol Beecher, Director of the Division of Elections, defended the election process as secure, trustworthy, and fair. However, she acknowledged logistical challenges that created problems for voters. Beecher fielded questions from lawmakers about election security, possible fraud, and issues with rural precincts. She explained that the division relies on voters’ information and checks each ballot for voter identification. Beecher highlighted the challenges of administering elections in rural communities, citing incidents such as voters receiving incorrect ballots. The division has 35 permanent staff who…

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, essential to the historic nuclear agreement with the United States and India’s economic revolution, passed away at 92. After suddenly losing consciousness at home, he was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, he was pronounced dead despite prompt attempts at resuscitation. Singh, who served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, was known for his integrity. Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, appointed him, and he became one of India’s longest-serving leaders. However, accusations of corruption against his ministers…

South Korea’s political turmoil escalated Thursday as opposition lawmakers motioned to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Less than two weeks after President President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, opposition parties have planned South Korea’s Prime Minister’s impeachment for allegedly defying democratic principles.  Han refused to appoint opposition-nominated constitutional court judges to decide Yoon’s fate. Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae accused Han of betraying the constitution and labeled him an acting insurrectionist. The motion comes as opposition leaders oppose Han’s decisions, including his vetoing bills proposing a special investigation into martial law declarations and corruption allegations. The opposition contends Han enabled…