Author: Amanda Martinez

The United States approved a $385 million weapons deal with Taiwan to strengthen its military capabilities amidst Chinese tensions. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the US arms deal with Taiwan on Friday, which said that equipment delivery will start in 2025. These weapons, which guarantee Taiwan’s air force stays operationally prepared, include replacement parts for F-16 fighter jets and radar equipment. Taiwan’s President, William Lai Ching-te, embarked on a Pacific tour on Saturday, with US stopovers sparking backlash from China. His itinerary includes visits to allies such as the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, with brief stops…

The flooding in Malaysia due to heavy rain has triggered severe flooding, forcing over 122,000 people into temporary shelters as the situation worsens. Disaster officials report three fatalities so far, with fears that the death toll could climb due to continued heavy rain. The flooding has affected several states, with Kelantan bearing the brunt as 80,640 evacuees from 25,042 families seek refuge in 279 shelters. Nine rivers in Kelantan remain above hazardous levels, according to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage. Other districts, like Pasir Mas and Tumpat, have also reported significant displacement. Pasir Mas housing 24,890 evacuees. According to…

According to the Deputy civil aviation minister, 999 false bomb threats were sent to Indian Airline airports in 2024. The number of fake bomb threats sent to Indian Airports is almost ten times higher than it was a year before. Over 500 threats were made in the final two weeks of October, alone severely disrupting the flights. The threats, though widespread, were confirmed as hoaxes with no actual security issues. Police have responded by registering 256 complaints and arresting at least 12 people. These fake threats have caused havoc on flight schedules, causing delays and diversions. This year’s fraudulent threats…

Israel’s military issued a warning for Lebanese civilians, urging them to avoid returning to over 60 villages in South Lebanon. The US mediated a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah after a year of war. IDF issued the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire warning right after the truce was put into effect, causing concerns among civilians. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that entering the restricted areas would have serious consequences. Later, they published a map showing the areas off-limits. Despite the ceasefire taking effect, tensions remain high. There is growing doubt about the durability of the ceasefire as Lebanese politicians have accused Israel of…

Paris’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral reopens on December 7, five years after the devastating fire destroyed its spire and roof. French President Emmanuel Macron led a televised tour on Friday, showcasing the remarkable restoration of the Gothic masterpiece.  Macron revealed the Cathedral’s stunning renovated interior, which now shines with restored murals and gleaming white walls. Macron’s wife, Brigitte, and the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, accompanied him during the tour.  The medieval church is updated with a golden cross and a modern altar and restored to its original form, the spire towers above Paris once more as a representation of…

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Uber Technologies Inc. for alleged consumer rights violations connected to its Uber One service. Many customers complained about potential issues with the subscription plan’s cancellation and sign-in, launching the FTC investigation into Uber One. Customers have claimed that they signed up for the plan without their knowledge and faced issues when they tried to cancel it. Uber One is a subscription service that offers discounts on rides and delivers to its 25 million members globally. However, the FTC received reports indicating that users were improperly signed up during routine app transactions. Furthermore, customers…

An incident occurred this week consisting of bomb threats targeting Trump’s cabinet and white house team. Federal law enforcement agencies have launched investigations into the alarming bomb threats, which affected at least nine appointees from the President-elect’s cabinet. Among the targets were nominees for the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, and Labor and Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to the UN, Elise Stefanik. Police responded to the threats instantly, ensuring the safety of the nominees and their families. The FBI confirmed that it’s investigating Trump’s Cabinet bomb threats in collaboration with other agencies.  Stefanik stated that her family home was targeted…

Officials from China, Canada, and Mexico have reacted strongly to Trump’s tariff pledge, warning of severe economic consequences. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the plan, saying retaliatory tariffs would jeopardize mutual businesses while addressing illegal immigration and drug issues. On Monday night, Trump pledged to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada and an extra 10% on Chinese products. He stated that these actions will stop drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, spoke with Trump right after the announcement about the possible consequences and his intention to meet the provincial leader to…

Early on Wednesday, an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement was signed for a truce in Lebanon to put an end to the 14-month-long ongoing war. According to the ceasefire, France and the U.S. mediated calls for Hezbollah to evacuate its troops from southern Lebanon while Israeli forces will also move back across the border. Thousands of Lebanese military and UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon will enforce this truce while an international panel will monitor compliance. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would respond forcefully to any violations, emphasizing that the military remains on alert. He stated that they would attack…

Donald Trump announced plans to impose sweeping tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, which was one of his first tasks after his inauguration in January 2025. Former president Trump’s new tariffs plan is to use this as leverage to address illegal immigration and drug smuggling in the US. Trump clarified that these tariffs will not be lifted until these nations take strong steps to address the problem. This proposed approach could potentially worsen trade disputes with the US’s main trading partners. Together, Canada, China, and Mexico are responsible for almost 40% of all US imports, which are worth $3.2 trillion…

Thousands of Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s supporters clashed with security forces after breaking through barricades in Islamabad. Protestors demanded Khan’s release and the resignation of the current federal government.  Conflicting reports emerged about the deaths of the four security officers. The interior ministry claimed that a vehicle carrying protesters ran over the officers, killing them. At the same time, eyewitnesses have stated that it was the security forces vehicle that ran them over while they were running away. Shehbaz Sharif, the current prime minister of Pakistan, condemned the violence, labeling it as extremism. Police used tear gas to stop…

A DHL cargo plane crashed into a house near Lithuania’s Vilnius airport early Monday, killing one person and injuring three. The Boeing 737-400, operated by Swiftair for DHL, approached Vilnius airport at 3:30 GMT after departing Leipzig, Germany. Officials reported the plane hit the ground, broke into pieces, and slid over 100 meters before hitting the house. Twelve residents were evacuated safely, and no ground casualties were reported. As firefighters attempted to put out the fire, smoke and flames surrounded the crash site. While firefighters doused the burning debris north of the runway with water, nearby streets were blocked off. …