Author: Amanda Martinez

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…

Russian scientists have unveiled the remarkably well-preserved remains of a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth, Yana, in the thawing permafrost of Siberia’s remote Yakutia region. This ancient discovery is a significant find, shedding light on the region’s rich prehistoric past. The ancient baby mammoth discovery is a key find. The baby mammoth, estimated to be only about one year old when she died, was discovered in the Batagaika crater. Locals found Yana and built a makeshift stretcher to lift her to the surface. Maxim Cherpasov praised the locals for their quick thinking. Yana weighs over 100 kg and measures 120 cm long.…

In New York, the suspect in the assassination of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, entered a not-guilty plea to charges of terrorism and murder. After his arrest for the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s murder, Luigi Mangione, 26, was charged with 11 state crimes, including first-degree murder and counts related to terrorism. Federal prosecutors charged Mangione with interstate stalking and firearm-related murder, both offenses eligible for the death penalty. These federal charges proceed simultaneously with state-level prosecution, prompting legal debates over conflicting accusations. Agnifilo Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman, criticized the overlapping cases, calling them confusing and politically driven. “This is a young…

Honda and Nissan’s merger plans aim to counter China’s growing influence in the global electric vehicle (EV) market. This strategic move, described as a multibillion-dollar integration, seeks to make the combined entity one of the world’s leading car producers, rivaling Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors, and Ford. Honda’s chief executive, Toshihiro Mibe, emphasized the urgency of the merger, stating that a firm plan must emerge by 2020 to remain competitive. Nissan’s chief executive, Makoto Uchida, echoed this sentiment, highlighting their annual sales exceeding $191 billion. The firms aim to claw back market share lost to Chinese EV manufacturers, including BYD, which…

Belfast City Airport reopened on Monday after a planned incident on Sunday. The Aer Lingus aircraft, operated by Emerald Airlines, suffered a hard landing while arriving from Edinburgh. Fortunately, the four crew members on board escaped unharmed. The incident sparked controversy, raising concerns about air safety. Travel journalist Simon Calder warned that flights would be far from normal due to the incident. Several flights got canceled or diverted, causing disruptions for passengers. Hillary Bratton’s flight from Leeds Bradford Airport got diverted to Belfast International Airport, where she faced further delays. The airport’s staff worked tirelessly to resolve the issue. Dublin…

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico made a surprise visit to Moscow, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This meeting marks Fico as the third Western leader to meet with Putin since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. The Fico Putin Meeting has sparked controversy. Fico discussed Russian gas supplies for Slovakia with Putin. A deal with Russian gas giant Gazprom is set to expire at the end of this year. Opposition parties in Slovakia and neighboring countries have criticized Fico’s visit. Czech foreign minister Jan Lipavsky expressed concerns about the impact on Ukrainians. Fico defended his meeting with…

New Zealand has rejected the request for the Cook Islands’ passport. This decision highlights the Pacific Island Dilemma. The Pacific nation is in free association with New Zealand and is responsible for its foreign affairs and defense. Prime Minister Mark Brown had requested a separate passport for Cook Islanders, citing the need to recognize our people. However, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that an individual passport and citizenship are only available to fully independent countries. Nearly 100,000 Cook Islands nationals live in New Zealand, while only about 15,000 reside on the Cook Islands. Some Cook Islanders have expressed…

Blake Lively’s harassment complaint, submitted to the California Civil Rights Department, alleges that Baldoni created a hostile work environment with inappropriate conduct. She filed a legal complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni, for sexual harassment and reputation attacks. Lively claims Baldoni and a producer harassed her repeatedly, prompting her to involve her husband, Ryan Reynolds, in a January meeting. According to the legal filing, the meeting addressed disturbing behavior on set and included demands to stop harassment practices. Baldoni and Jamey Heath, CEO of Wayfarer Studios, allegedly directed inappropriate comments toward Lively, including references to personal…

Renowned Mexican wrestler Rey Mysterio Sr.’s death was announced early Friday morning by his family. He passed away at 66. Born Miguel Angel Lopez Dias, the legendary luchador shaped professional wrestling history after debuting in January 1976. Over decades, his influence extended across promotions like Lucha Libre AAA, Pro Wrestling Revolution, and the World Wrestling Association (WWA). Mysterio Sr., often distinguished as the uncle of WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio Jr., claimed several significant championships during his career. His accolades included the WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship and the WWA Tag Team Championship, where he partnered with his…

Russia reported five deaths and nine injuries from a Ukrainian strike in the Kursk region in Rylsk town near the border. The acting governor announced the attack, which damaged homes, a fitness complex, a school, and a cultural center. Russian officials reported six deaths, but an update confirmed five fatalities without any children involved. In retaliation, Moscow launched a fresh missile barrage targeting Kyiv with one strike damaging buildings including the embassy of Albania, Argentina, North Macedonia, Palestine, Portugal, and Montenegro. The Pecherskyi District’s St Nicholas Cathedral suffered shattered windows, while a residential area nearby also endured destruction. According to…