Colombian President Gustavo Petro faced a diplomatic clash with the US after refusing to allow planes carrying deported Colombians to land. The crisis saw President Trump threatening tariffs on Colombian goods, but Petro eventually relented. Petro, a former guerrilla, has had a controversial political career, including his time as Bogotá’s mayor and fluctuating approval ratings since taking office as Colombia's first left-wing president.
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In her first White House press briefing, Karoline Leavitt revealed President Trump’s report on New Jersey’s drone mystery, confirming they were authorized research flights and private drones. Trump had promised transparency on the issue. In November, mystery drones were spotted flying over New Jersey and the Pentagon asserted that they were not enemies.
US President Trump reiterated his proposal for the US to take control of Gaza, with international development transforming it into a major development project. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu supports the plan, which has been criticized by rights groups as a violation of international law.
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old former Ivy League student, was arrested for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione, once part of an online gaming group, was found with a 3D-printed firearm and a manifesto. His online activity had become increasingly radicalized in recent years, contrasting sharply with his former persona.
US President Donald Trump advocated for expanding the H1B visa program to include top global talent in non-STEM areas, such as high-quality waiters and wine experts. His remarks angered MAGA supporters who oppose immigration and H1B visas. Critics argue that Trump is favoring donors, despite the opposition wanting tighter immigration control.
Donald Trump will promise a "renewal of the American dream" on Tuesday in his first address to Congress since returning to office, laying out a vision of extended presidential power and a reshaped world order. Trump himself promised in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday that the address to Congress "WILL BE BIG" and vowed that "I WILL TELL IT LIKE IT IS!"
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.
The FAA has grounded SpaceX's Starship and initiated an investigation after the rocket disintegrated over the Caribbean. Residents in the Turks and Caicos Islands were warned to avoid debris. The incident could affect future missions, but Elon Musk remains optimistic about a March launch.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday the United States under President Donald Trump remained committed to the Philippines' defense, as tensions simmer with Beijing in the South China Sea. In a call with his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo, Rubio "underscored the United States' ironclad commitments to the Philippines under our Mutual Defense Treaty," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.
A 23-year-old Florida man, Joseph Voigt, is accused of fatally shooting his father and critically wounding his mother during a dispute about his unemployment and gaming habits. After fleeing to Orlando, Voigt was apprehended and confessed to the crime. He now faces murder and attempted murder charges, having been released from jail days prior on a battery charge.
At least eight soldiers and a civilian were killed in western Pakistan on Friday in separate attacks along the border with Afghanistan, where violence has erupted in recent months, police told AFP. Seven soldiers were killed in a security operation against "armed Taliban" in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a police source said on Saturday.tally.