Author: Amanda Martinez

On Friday, the Supreme Court deliberated on a proposed TikTok ban in the U.S., which could take effect on January 19 unless TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells its assets. Justices appeared inclined to uphold the law due to national security concerns tied to ByteDance’s obligation to cooperate with Chinese intelligence operations. Chief Justice John Roberts focused on the potential risks of TikTok’s connection to China, shedding light on its influence over sensitive user data and content algorithms. ByteDance insists it will not sell TikTok despite mounting pressure. Billionaire businessman Frank McCourt, joined by Kevin O’Leary’s consortium, reportedly submitted a…

María Corina Machado, the opposition leader of Venezuela, was briefly arrested for her remarks at a protest against Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration in Caracas. Security forces allegedly shot at the motorcycles carrying Machado and violently stopped her convoy. Machado, 57, was forced to record videos while in custody before her release hours later. Information Minister Freddy Nanez rejected the detention rumors as a fake media diversion. The opposition and many global governments continue to reject Maduro’s win. Despite heavy presence, opposition groups urged mass protests to challenge Maduro’s rule and election claim. In Valencia, police fired tear gas to disperse crowds.…

Trump’s hush money case, the first criminal trial of a president, ended when a judge sentenced him to an unconditional discharge. According to Justice Juan Merchan, this ruling enables the new president to take office without being hampered by legal proceedings.  The case, which focused on hush-money payments during the 2016 campaign, resulted in Trump’s felony conviction in May 2024. Despite the historic nature of this trial, Justice Merchan explained that it ultimately followed standard judicial procedures within the courtroom. Trump’s sentence was delayed due to Supreme Court rulings and the November election but concluded with his remarkable political comeback.…

Alec Baldwin’s lawsuit has been filed against prosecutors, alleging malicious prosecution and civil rights violations. The lawsuit stems from the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust. Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer of the film, was pointing a gun that went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. The incident led to a highly publicized investigation and subsequent charges against Baldwin. The lawsuit alleges intentionally concealed evidence that would absolve Baldwin of blame and sought to scapegoat Baldwin to advance their career. Meanwhile, prosecutors have denied any wrongdoing and maintain that…

Exmoor storm damage has left a trail of destruction in its wake. The National Trust South West rangers have been working tirelessly to clear over 300 fallen trees from the national park. The storm, which hit in mid-December, left many footpaths in the 621-mile network unsafe. Rangers have made significant progress in clearing the trees, with most major routes now reopened. However, some sections remain impassable and will require further attention in phase two of the operation. Sue Applegate, senior public rights of way and access officer, warns that users should still exercise caution. The storm has also created new…

California Wildfire destruction has left a trail of devastation in its wake. Aaron Samoson and his father-in-law were forced to flee on foot as the fire closed in around them. The village has been largely destroyed, with an estimated 90% of homes and buildings reduced to ashes. The scale of the destruction is almost unimaginable. Aaron describes the scene as “surreal”, with entire streets and landmarks erased from the map. The village’s library, stores, kids’ karate dojo, theater, and community center are all gone. As Aaron fled his home, he was forced to make a difficult decision about what to…

The recent Belton House flood has left staff and visitors in shock. The National Trust property, located near Grantham, was forced to close on January 6 and 7 due to adverse weather conditions. A riverbank collapse caused a large tree to fall into the river, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Angus Hale, senior gardener at the site, expressed his disappointment at the damage. “It can be quite upsetting to see trees damaged,” he said. However, Hale praised his team for their efforts, stating, they had done everything they had to prepare for the flooding. The team had…

Delhi smog chaos has brought the city to a standstill. A thick blanket of smog has engulfed India’s capital, Delhi, causing travel chaos and disrupting daily life. The city’s air quality has deteriorated to hazardous levels, with the air quality index exceeding 400 in several areas. This is more than 25 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organization. The dense fog and severe air pollution have resulted in the delay of over 150 flights and dozens of trains. The Delhi airport has issued an advisory warning passengers of possible disruptions due to low visibility. The Indian Railways…

The Indian Boarding Schools Legacy is a painful reminder of the US government’s role in the abuse and maltreatment of Native American children. In 2024, a report by the Department of the Interior revealed the shocking truth about these schools. The report showed that the schools allowed for the consistent abuse and maltreatment of Native American children across the country. Senator Lisa Murkowski helped push the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024. He believes that the level of awareness about this dark period in American history is crucial. “We have moved, I think, in…

Lebanon’s parliament has ended a prolonged presidential hiatus by electing army chief Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s new president. Aoun secured 99 votes in the second round of parliamentary voting on Thursday, surpassing the required majority for victory. The election followed years of political stalemates after Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022, leaving Lebanon without a head of state. This is a significant step for Lebanon’s struggling government institutions. Earlier, Joseph Aoun fell short of a two-thirds majority in the first voting round, gaining support from only 71 members of parliament. However, shifting alliances and international pressure helped solidify Aoun’s…

Mozambique Tension is escalating as opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returns home from exile. Mondlane arrived at Maputo International Airport on Thursday morning, where thousands of supporters had gathered to welcome him. The return comes ahead of next week’s swearing-in of Daniel Chapo, the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate. Mondlane maintains he won last year’s presidential election, which sparked deadly protests. The protests have left more than 270 people dead, according to rights groups. Furthermore, the country’s stability is being tested, and concerns are growing that the situation could worsen. Mondlane has been organizing protests through broadcasts on Facebook. His return is…

A devastating wildfire is sweeping through the Hollywood Hills, forcing thousands to evacuate and destroying homes. The Los Angeles Wildfires are raging out of control, with at least five people confirmed dead. Fire chief David Acuna says fires are rapidly expanding due to high winds and dry conditions. The fires have burned over 27,000 acres of land, with the Palisades blaze being the most destructive in the area’s history. Furthermore, the city’s water supply is struggling to cope with the demand. The firefighters are taking water from swimming pools and ponds. Meanwhile, residents are forced to flee their homes, with…