Author: Amanda Martinez

Northern China sentenced two teenagers to lengthy prison terms for murdering their classmate in a case sparking a national debate. Teen’s murder in Hebei led the court to believe Zhang and Li, both 13 years old at the time, guilty of intentionally killing Wang, a classmate. Zhang received a life sentence, while Li was sentenced to 12 years in jail. The terrible crime occurred in March when the teens lured Wang to an abandoned greenhouse and attacked him with a shovel. According to the court, Zhang instigated the plan, taking full responsibility for initiating and committing the fatal attack. Li,…

An Air Canada flight experienced a suspected landing gear issue upon arrival at an airport on Sunday. Investigators are now en route to the airport to determine the cause. Meanwhile, the aircraft remains on the runway. Air Canada is cooperating fully with the investigation. However, the airline cannot speculate on the cause of the issue. The Transportation Safety Board must release the aircraft before customer belongings can be returned. Furthermore, the airline’s spokesperson stated that the cause of the suspected landing gear issue is unknown. They added that no additional information can be provided now, out of respect for the…

Tributes are pouring in for former US President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at 100. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump led the tributes, praising Carter’s commitment to humanity and peace. Biden described Carter as a man of principle, faith, and humility, while Trump said all Americans owe him a debt of gratitude. Carter’s life was a testament to his dedication to public service. From his early days as a peanut farmer to his presidency, Carter remained committed to his values. He was a strong advocate for human rights and social justice, and his work earned him the…

A devastating plane crash in South Korea has killed 179 People, with only two survivors. On Sunday, Jeju Air Flight, carrying 181 passengers and crew, crash-landed at Muan International Airport. The Boeing 737-800 plane was returning from Bangkok, Thailand, when it skidded off the runway and crashed into a wall, bursting into flames. Consequently, an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. The Passengers included 173 South Koreans and two Thai nationals, aged between 3 and 78. Many passengers were holidaymakers, and distraught families gathered at the airport, waiting for news of their loved ones. The plane’s pilot,…

Ukraine killed North Korean soldiers aiding Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on December 23 that North Korean casualties in the Kursk region exceeded 3,000, according to preliminary data. South Korea’s intelligence estimates place the toll at 1,100, with North Korea preparing to send reinforcements. In August, North Korea deployed 11,000 troops to bolster Russian forces in the Kursk region during Ukraine’s counteroffensive. However, their inexperience with drones has proven deadly. Ukrainian drone footage captured moments where panicked North Korean troops mistakenly shot one another while attempting to neutralize aerial threats. The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces revealed that their 8th…

Conservative voices accused Elon Musk of censorship Friday after several accounts critical of him lost premium features on X. At least 14 accounts, including prominent right-wing influencers, reported losing their blue verification badge late Thursday or Friday. Conservatives stated that Elon Musk’s silencing critics on X is linked to their criticism of Musk’s pro-immigration stance amid heated debates on future U.S. immigration policies. Many accounts losing verification removed access to key monetization tools such as subscription revenues and ad revenue sharing. Users, including media brand ConservativeOG members, called this decision a betrayal of Musk’s self-proclaimed advocacy for free expression. Musk acquired…

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…