Multiple federal agencies, including defence, state, interior, energy, EPA, and SSA, witnessed firings as President Trump removed 17 inspectors general appointed during his first term. Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, argue this action undermines checks on presidential power and facilitates corruption.
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President Donald Trump announced that the US will hold Iran accountable for future attacks by Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. This comes after Houthis targeted US and foreign ships, leading Trump to order airstrikes that killed 31 people, including civilians. The Houthis, supported by Iran, have been intensifying regional conflict.
A family dispute at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Christmas night escalated into a shooting, critically injuring a woman and wounding three others. The incident occurred near a Terminal 4 restaurant, forcing a temporary closure of the security checkpoint. Police detained a man and a juvenile girl, recovered weapons, and confirmed no suspects remain at large. Investigation continues.
A fire at a care home in Barajevo, on the outskirts of Belgrade, killed eight people and injured seven others. Authorities suspect a resident who also perished in the blaze started the fire. Emergency crews arrived quickly, but a third of the facility was already engulfed. Investigation is ongoing.
The International Criminal Court has requested arrest warrants for top Taliban leaders, a move celebrated by the Afghan Women's Movement for Justice and Awareness as a step towards accountability. Since regaining control in 2021, the Taliban have restricted women's access to jobs, public spaces, and education beyond sixth grade. The UN described the ban on girls’ education as a tragedy.
The House Ethics Committee unexpectedly voted to release findings from its investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against former Rep. Matt Gaetz. Gaetz, who recently withdrew after being nominated as Attorney General, denied the allegations, which involve paying for sex with a minor. Gatez also reacted to the news of the secret vote to release the report.
Amid a surge in human metapneumovirus (hMPV) cases in the UK, health authorities are urging mask-wearing and other precautions. Hospitals are straining under the pressure, particularly with winter illnesses compounding the crisis. Enhanced monitoring and increased bed capacity are part of ongoing measures to manage the situation.
A Texas woman was left in constant fear after a suspect intentionally rammed her Tesla in an unprovoked hit-and-run attack. The incident, part of a growing wave of vandalism targeting Teslas, caused significant damage to her vehicle and highlighted potential political and social tensions tied to the company's CEO, Elon Musk.
Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, plans to visit Vietnam and the Philippines next week. This trip aims to strengthen regional ties after tariff actions. China's President Xi Jinping also toured Southeast Asia recently. Japan views Southeast Asia as strategically important. Ishiba's visit will focus on economic, defense, and people-to-people cooperation.
A recent Taiwanese survey reveals alarmingly low support among young people for regulating pro-China influencers. Less than 40% of those aged 20-24 favor legal measures against influencers promoting unification, compared to much higher support in other age groups. Experts warn this indicates a concerning lack of awareness about Chinese influence campaigns, particularly among youth exposed to Chinese social media.
Since returning to power in January, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly ​insisted he wants the United States to "take over" Greenland and even refused to rule out the use of force to achieve the aim.