Author: Amanda Martinez

Billionaire Charles Dolan, who revolutionized television by creating HBO and building a media empire, died at 98. His family announced the news through Newsday, their Long Island newspaper, signaling an end to Charles Dolan’s HBO legacy. Born in Ohio, Dolan began his career distributing industrial and sports films before launching ventures in the cable television industry. Moving to New York, he recognized Manhattan’s broadcast issue caused by tall buildings interrupting signals. In 1964, he began wiring Manhattan buildings with cable, attracting viewers by broadcasting the Knicks and Rangers play-offs. In 1972, Dolan founded Home Box Office (HBO), the first premium…

Ukraine-Russia prisoner exchange led to hundreds of prisoners of war being swapped in a significant exchange brokered by the United Arab Emirates. On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy confirmed the release of 189 Ukrainians, while Russian officials announced 150 returned soldiers. President Zelenksyy described the news as a positive development and shared photos of the freedmen waving Ukraine’s national flag. He acknowledged the UAE’s role in facilitating the exchange and promised ongoing efforts to secure the release of every remaining prisoner. Among those freed were soldiers from Mariupol, the Chernobyl power plant, and Snake Island. Outside a northern Ukraine hospital,…

Scotland’s Hogmanay weather will be severe, with heavy rain and strong winds forecasted to hit the country. The Met Office has issued alerts for rain and snow, covering the entire country. An amber warning is in effect from midnight to 5 pm on Tuesday, covering Inverness to Fort William. The Highland main line reopened on Monday after being closed due to rising water levels at Kingussie. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay outdoor events got canceled due to severe weather conditions, and the city’s Torchlight Procession got canceled on Sunday due to strong winds. Network Rail is monitoring water levels at the Lochy viaduct…

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…