An Indian national, Abdul Jaffar Haji Ali, 40, received a 16-month jail sentence in Singapore for smuggling 58 endangered Indian star tortoises. He transported the reptiles in his luggage, intending to travel from India to Jakarta via Singapore. One tortoise died en route, and 22 were found underweight. Previously, Ali also faced charges under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act and the Animals and Birds Act for failing to ensure the well-being of the tortoises.
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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas downplayed concerns about unidentified drones sighted over New Jersey, stating they pose no current threat. Despite President-elect Trump's call to down the drones, Mayorkas cited limited authority to intervene, emphasizing the need for expanded legal powers to address drone activity. The Pentagon has also denied foreign involvement.
Twenty US states, led by Maryland's Attorney General, are suing federal agencies over the Trump administration's dismissal of federal probationary workers. The states claim the mass firings are unlawful and will negatively impact state economies by increasing unemployment and reducing tax revenue.
Russia and Indonesia are strengthening defence ties as Russian security official Sergei Shoigu met Indonesia's defence minister in Jakarta. The visit follows Indonesia's entry into BRICS and aims to expand military cooperation. Indonesia has previously acquired Russian defence equipment and held joint naval drills. While Jakarta maintains neutrality on Ukraine, President Prabowo Subianto seeks to bolster military capabilities through international partnerships, including with Russia.
A 16-year-old pregnant girl in Brazil was murdered and her unborn baby was stolen by a woman posing as a donor of free baby clothes. The 25-year-old attacker had recently suffered a miscarriage and was trying to pass the baby off as her own. The crime was uncovered when suspicious hospital staff realized the baby's origin.
Iran's security chief Ali Akbar Ahmadian said a new group would emerge in Syria to fight Israel following the fall of president Bashar al-Assad, state media reported. In a meeting with Oman's foreign minister, Ahmadian insisted that Iran's anti-Israel axis of resistance was "not weakened" after the December 8 fall of Assad, a longtime Tehran ally.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed acting administrator of USAID, which is facing potential closure under the direction from Elon Musk and Donald Trump. USAID headquarters was shut down on Monday, with remote work enforced for employees. Established in the 1960s, the agency provides international humanitarian aid, which Musk sees as unnecessary.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with US President-elect Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden after a landmark ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu expressed gratitude for their roles in securing the release of hostages and pledged continued efforts to free all captives. Both leaders reaffirmed
Lawyer Anthony Ricco withdraws from rapper Sean Diddy's sex-trafficking case without providing specifics of why he won't represent the rapper in any circumstances, as he mentioned in his court filing. Diddy faces serious charges with a trial set for May 5, while there is increasing pressure on the Trump administration to release Diddy list which is the name of celebrities who attended Diddy's Freak-Off parties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Washington to finalize a significant economic partnership with the US, focusing on Ukraine's rare earth minerals sector. The deal comes amid Trump's criticism of Zelenskyy and pressure for Ukraine to allocate future revenue to the US.
"The richest man in the world is sitting at the Resolute desk, about to defund your public school. Trump should stop him," Kamala Harris' vice presidential candidate Walz wrote criticizing Elon Musk and his DOGE's interference in administrative matters against which several Democratic leaders have spoken out expressing concern. "What's your name again? I forgot," Elon Musk replied directly to Walz.