Clashes erupted near Goma, eastern DR Congo, as M23 rebels, backed by Rwandan forces, advanced, triggering a humanitarian crisis with over 400,000 displaced. The US, UK, and France urged citizens to leave amid escalating violence. Civilians fled on foot, and UN officials warned of a potential regional war. Despite military efforts and international mediation attempts, peace talks have repeatedly failed, leaving Goma at the epicenter of 30 years of conflict.
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Ian Wagner, accused of threatening violence near UnitedHealthcare's headquarters, was ordered into custody without bond after an outburst in court, where he shouted about "power, money, and corruption." His mother, Cheryl Wagner, stated he suffers from mental illness. Officials had made multiple attempts to arrest Wagner for violating probation and electronic home monitoring before the incident at UnitedHealthcare.
China is set to launch the Shenzhou 20 mission to its space station, with astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie embarking on a six-month stay. They will replace the current crew and conduct experiments, perform extravehicular activities, and improve the station. Chen Dong, a veteran astronaut, will lead the mission, while his crewmates will experience their first spaceflight.
During a White House event, President Joe Biden criticized former President Donald Trump, calling his actions a threat to democracy, and condemned the press with sharp remarks. Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act while continuing his combative history with reporters, emphasizing his extensive experience with world leaders.
President-elect Donald Trump criticized the 2023 budget deal that extended the debt ceiling, calling it a major political error. He argued that Democrats should address the issue during the Biden administration rather than deferring to June 2025. Trump emphasized the need for a vote now, suggesting Democrats should be held accountable for any potential consequences.
President-elect Trump is likely to grant TikTok a 90-day extension to finalize a deal and prevent a U.S. ban. He indicated that a decision would be made after taking office on Monday. The new law barring app stores from distributing TikTok begins Sunday, and TikTok has requested assurance from the Biden administration regarding law enforcement.
An active-duty US Army Green Beret, who rented a Tesla truck, committed suicide inside the vehicle which exploded outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The explosion injured seven people. Authorities are investigating the soldier's motives and confirmed he was on leave and recently experienced a breakup.
A Kentucky woman, Noora Shalash, has been charged with a hate crime after being captured on video making antisemitic slurs and assaulting a Jewish man in a Midtown Manhattan office building. The incident, which occurred at 950 Third Ave, involved Shalash hurling offensive language and physically attacking the man. She faces charges of aggravated harassment as a second-degree hate crime.
RFK Jr added a blue liquid to his water, suspected to be Methylene Blue, in a viral video taken on a flight. Social media users claimed that the bluw liquid mitigates radiation exposure and prevents colds, sparking discussions about his health. MMA fighter Vance Elrod cautioned against the high dose that Kennedy Jr apparently took in the video, despite recognizing its benefits for oxidative stress and autophagy.
Steve Bannon joined the debate on H-1B visas after Elon Musk's controversial comments about purging the Republican Party. Elon Musk said there are some contemptible fools in the Republican Party who should be removed. Explaining further, Elon Musk said the "contemptible fools" he talked about are those in the Republican Party who are hateful, unrepentant racists. "They will absolutely be the downfall of the Republican Party if they are not removed," Musk wrote.
Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, blaming him alongside Putin and Biden for the war's millions of deaths. He questioned Zelenskyy's military strategy and reliance on Western weapons. Despite recent tensions and echoing Kremlin talking points, Trump claimed a peace deal was still possible, following a deadly Russian missile strike in Sumy.