Author: Amanda Martinez

On Thursday afternoon, a Bethel school lockdown incident occurred. Students reported seeing a man with a gun on the school grounds. Ebon C. Hill Intermediate School in Bethel initiated the lockdown around 1 p.m. as students claimed they saw the armed man. Students at recess told the staff they saw the individual showing a gun while standing on a nearby baseball field. Concerned for student safety, school administrators immediately contacted Bethel police, who arrived to investigate the situation. Law enforcement reviewed the school’s surveillance footage to identify the alleged suspect. Officers located a man matching the student’s description and took…

Baristas from Starbucks stores in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle plan to begin strikes Friday due to stalled contract negotiations. The Starbucks union barista strike, spearheaded by Starbucks Workers United, represents more than 11,000 baristas nationwide and aims to push for better wages and working conditions.  Workers plan to expand strikes daily, potentially impacting hundreds of locations on Christmas Eve if an agreement remains unmet. The union accused Starbucks of failing to honor its pledges to negotiate terms for unionized workers at over 535 US stores. Lynne Fox, president of Workers United, emphasized that union baristas refuse to accept proposals…

Cyclone Chido’s destruction devastated Mayotte, a French territory north of Madagascar. On Saturday, the storm landed with wind speeds of over 225 km/h. The strong winds flattened areas with shacks and left fields of dirt and debris.As a result, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the damaged areas. During his visit, he was met with mixed reactions. Some people shouted, “Macron resign, you’re talking nonsense.” Others expressed gratitude for his visit. At the Mamoudzou hospital center, one woman told Macron, “Nobody feels safe here; people are fighting over water.”Meanwhile, the storm caused significant damage and loss of life in several countries.…

North Korean crypto heists have reached new heights this year, with hackers stealing a staggering $1.3 billion in cryptocurrency. According to a report by Chainalysis, this figure accounts for more than half of the total $2.2 billion in cryptocurrencies stolen in 2024. The report reveals that North Korean hackers have become more frequent and sophisticated in their attacks. In 2024, they stole $1.3 billion in digital currencies, more than double the amount in 2023. Some of these incidents are linked to North Korean IT workers infiltrating crypto and other technology firms by posing as remote employees. Notably, the majority of…

During Putin’s end-of-year press conference on Thursday, he addressed critical domestic and international matters. Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that he had not spoken to US President-elect Donald Trump in four years but expressed readiness for potential tasks. Regarding the war in Ukraine, Putin emphasized Russia’s daily territorial advances along the entire front line while avoiding specific timelines for retaking the southern Kursk region. He described the ongoing war as serious and expressed confidence in Russia’s eventual success. Putin further stated that Russia would eventually push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region, criticizing Kyiv´skyiv’s military efforts in the area.…

A French court sentenced Dominique Pelicot to 20 years in prison for drugging his ex-wife Gisele Pelicot and facilitating her repeated rape by dozens of men over nearly a decade. Dominique Pelicot’s trial involving 49 other men convicted alongside him has been labeled the most significant rape case in French history. During the trial in Avignon, 72-year-old Gisele Pelicot gave up her anonymity to confront her assailants. Because of her bravery, she is now a strong voice for victims of sexual abuse. During her testimony last month, Gisele stated that she wants the world to know what happened, “I will…

The Ukraine war has taken a devastating toll on North Korean soldiers. At least 100 have been killed, according to South Korean MP Lee Sungkwon. This significant loss comes after North Korea sent 10,000 troops to support Russia’s war effort in October. Notably, the casualties include high-ranking officials. Lee attributes the high number of deaths to the troop’s lack of familiarity with the terrain and drone warfare. Furthermore, the North Korean troops, who had no prior combat experience, spent their initial weeks in Russia training and support roles. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia had begun using a…

South Korea’s corruption watchdog summoned President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday, but he failed to attend the scheduled questioning. Officials at the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) confirmed the initiation of Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law investigation because he triggered unprecedented political turmoil on December 3rd.  CIO investigators had requested Yoon to appear at their Seoul office by 10 a.m. for questioning on insurrection charges and abuse of power. “President Yoon did not appear for his summons today,” a CIO official stated. His absence marks a failure to comply with their initial summons, and officials are considering further action. The CIO…

Days before Christmas, American Amazon employees are planning to go on strike in protest of the company’s unfair treatment. According to Teamsters, Amazon worker’s strike was approved in southern California, New York, and Illinois.  The dispute stems from Amazon’s refusal to recognize unions or enter contract negotiations with workers by the 15th December deadline. The workers, led by Teamsters General President Sean M O’Brien, expressed frustration at the company’s stance. O’Brien further accused the e-commerce giant of prioritizing profits over people. The union, which represents thousands of Amazon workers, claims unsafe conditions and unfair labor practices persist at many facilities. …

Life in Idlib offers a glimpse into what Syria can expect after Assad’s downfall. The city, once a symbol of resistance against Bashar al-Assad’s regime, has undergone significant changes since Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control in 2017. The city’s infrastructure has improved, with renovated houses, newly opened shops, and well-maintained roads. Opposition flags fly high in public squares, and graffiti on walls celebrates the resistance against the regime. However, complaints of heavy-handed rule by the authorities have also surfaced. HTS has revoked some of the strict social rules it imposed when it came to power, including dress codes for…

Norway plans to complete the world’s longest and deepest road tunnel by 2033, setting new global engineering. This underwater tunnel, Rogfast, will stretch 16 miles beneath the seabed connecting Randaberg and Bokn in Rogaland County. For now, travelers use ferries to bridge this distance, which prolongs journeys due to unreliable winter weather. The tunnel forms part of Norway’s E39 coastal highway upgrade, aimed at improving connectivity between Kristiansand and Trondheim. By eliminating ferry crossings, Rogfast will cut 11 hours from the 21-hour trip along the 680-mile route. Commuters traveling to Stavanger and Bergen will save time and avoid disruptions caused…

Honda and Nissan have held exploratory talks about a potential merger to help them compete against electric vehicle (EV) makers. The two Japanese car makers agreed to explore a strategic partnership for EVs in March. This move marks a significant step in the Honda-Nissan merger talks. According to reports, the discussions are in the early stages, and there is no guarantee that a deal will be agreed upon. The firms have not denied the story but said neither company has announced it. Honda and Nissan have been losing market share in China, which accounted for almost 70% of global EV…