Author: Amanda Martinez

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…

American Airlines restored services after halting flights for an hour due to a system failure that delayed nationwide operations. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed flights resumed before 13:00 GMT, but the American Airlines system failure caused delays that impacted many passengers traveling on Christmas Eve. American Airlines attributed the issue to a vendor technology issue and initiated immediate recovery efforts to minimize passenger inconvenience. “We sincerely apologise to our customers for the inconvenience this morning,” the airline announced, pledging to resolve the delays and prioritize customer travel plans. Departure boards at airports across the United States had approximately two-hour delays…

United States President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to intensify the death penalty’s use during his upcoming term. Trump’s death penalty plans criticized President Joe Bidens for commuting federal death row sentences to life imprisonment without parole and pledged swift action upon inauguration. The former President declared on social media, “As soon as I am inaugurated, I will direct the Justice Department to vigorously pursue the death penalty to protect American families and children from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” After lifting a 20-year pause, Trump’s first administration oversaw 13 federal executions, setting a new record. Over the years, support for…

During a record-breaking visit, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe attempts a historic first by diving into the Sun’s atmosphere. Launched in 2018, the spacecraft will endure intense heat and radiation to transform our knowledge of solar activity. On Christmas Eve, Parker reached 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface, an unprecedented proximity for any spacecraft. NASA officials compare this to placing the Sun and Earth one meter apart, with the probe hovering just four centimeters away. Moving at an extraordinary speed of 430,000mph, it outpaced all other human-made objects in history. The probe relies on its 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield to withstand…

Fabio Ochoa Vasquez, a founding member of the notorious Medellin cartel, has returned to Colombia after serving over 20 years in a US prison. Ochoa, 67, was deported by the US government and arrived in Bogota on Monday, marking the end of the Medellin Cartel Founder era in US prisons. Ochoa was a senior lieutenant to the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar. The Medellin cartel dominated the cocaine trade, waging a violent campaign against the Colombian state. Escobar was killed in 1993. Ochoa was arrested in Colombia in 1999 and extradited to the US in 2001. In 2003, Ochoa got…

In eastern Ukraine, the city of Pokrovsk is on the brink of falling to Russian forces. Yet, a famous Christmas carol, Shchedryk, also known as Carol of the Bells, remains a powerful symbol of Ukrainian resilience. This Pokrovsk Carol of Hope is inspiring defenders to keep fighting. The city is deserted, with most residents fleeing. Ihor and Oksana, who remain, live in constant fear of shelling. They lack necessities like electricity and water. The city’s famous music school, named after composer Mykola Leontovych, lies empty and boarded up. Leontovych composed Shchedryk between 1904 and 1908. The carol gained international popularity…

Kilauea volcano has erupted again, putting on a dynamic show at Halemaumau Crater. This Kilauea Volcano eruption is the fifth since 2020. The eruption began around 2:30 a.m. Monday. Lava fountains reached heights of up to 262 feet. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected elevated seismic activity just 30 minutes before the eruption. Vents are continuing to erupt on the floor of the southwest part of the summit caldera. The plume of volcanic gas and fine volcanic particles is reaching elevations of 6,000-8,000 feet above sea level. Ken Hon, USGS HVO Head Scientist, said the lava flows have already covered the…