The Supreme Court appears ready to uphold a law that could potentially ban TikTok, requiring its Chinese parent company to divest by January 19 or face a shutdown. The law aims to combat disinformation and protect Americans' private data from potential misuse by China, raising significant First Amendment concerns.
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Syria's new authorities have arrested nearly 300 people, including informants, pro-regime fighters and former soldiers, in a crackdown on loyalists to ousted former president Bashar al-Assad, a monitor said Sunday. Among those arrested, according to the Observatory, were former regime informants, pro-Iranian fighters and lower-ranking military officers accused of killings and torture, Abdel Rahman said.
Pope Francis sat out mass and his traditional Angelus prayer from hospital on Sunday, with a Vatican health official saying the 88-year-old pontiff needed to preserve his strength for the Church's busy Jubilee year. - Busy Jubilee year - The head of the health office for the Italian Bishops' Conference, Massimo Angelelli, told AFPTV it was "absolutely necessary for him to recover his strength" as "the Jubilee is still long."
Elon Musk, leveraging his social media platform X, launched a campaign against a bipartisan spending deal, influencing some Republicans to oppose it. This unprecedented political move drew criticism and raised concerns about the billionaire's influence on government decisions, even prompting some to suggest him as a potential Speaker of the House.
But here’s the thing: timing is not causality. The idea that papal deaths somehow signal or foreshadow world wars is compelling as a narrative—especially in a social media age where historical trivia morphs easily into eschatological prophecy. But it falls into a classic logical trap: post hoc ergo propter hoc—after this, therefore because of this.
The Pentagon revealed 2,000 US troops are in Syria, over double the previously reported 900. This undisclosed increase, attributed to temporary rotations, has been in effect for months and is unrelated to the recent fall of the Assad regime or increased ISIS activity, though it aims to counter the group. The move has prompted varied reactions from neighboring countries.
Record-breaking snowfall in Hokkaido, Japan, disrupted traffic, delayed deliveries, and caused airport closures on Tuesday. The heaviest snow, especially in Obihiro and Kushiro, led to stranded drivers and canceled flights, affecting thousands. Obihiro recorded 129 cm of snow. The Japan meteorological agency predicts more snow in the region. Schools, train services, and postal operations were also impacted. Authorities advised residents to carry shovels and warm clothes in case of snow-related... Expand
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are returning to Earth after an unexpected nine-month stay on the ISS. Their mission extended due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner capsule, and they switched to SpaceX for their return. A relief crew's arrival enabled their departure.
Cortney Merritts, husband of former US Representative Cori Bush, has been charged with wire fraud for allegedly receiving over $20,000 in fraudulent Covid relief loans. Merritts is accused of misrepresenting his business finances to secure these government funds. There is no accusation against Bush in this case, despite previous scrutiny over campaign payments.
Casey’s responsibilities included documenting Gaza’s humanitarian and political conditions through classified reports and cables. He grew increasingly frustrated by what he saw as the systemic dismissal of his findings by Washington. He recalled how colleagues would joke that even attaching cash to the daily updates wouldn’t get them noticed. The latest UN figures illustrate the crisis Casey grappled with: over 45,000 Palestinians killed, 90% of the population displaced, and conditions... Expand
Myanmar experienced six significant earthquakes along the Sagaing Fault, with the strongest being 7.2 and 7.0 magnitudes. These tremors, occurring at shallow depths, caused damage in Bangkok due to its high liquefaction risk. The National Centre for Seismology highlights the region's history of strong seismic activity and continues to monitor aftershocks.