Fourteen members of a Christian sect in Queensland were convicted of causing the death of an 8-year-old diabetic girl by refusing her insulin on religious grounds. The parents and other sect members were found guilty of manslaughter, believing in divine healing over medical treatment. Sentencing is set for February 11.
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Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai will attend an international summit on girls' education hosted by her native Pakistan, where she was nearly killed by militants as a schoolgirl. Yousafzai was evacuated to the United Kingdom and went on to become a global advocate for girls' education and, at the age of 17, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner. ecl/pbt
An Elon Musk-backed group is running attack ads against Republican lawmakers who support the 340B drug pricing program, which aids hospitals treating low-income patients. The ads claim the program funds gender transitions for children, abortions, and healthcare for undocumented immigrants.
Senator Elizabeth Warren faced backlash after urging donations to support victims of the California wildfires, linking to a fundraising platform associated with the Democratic Party. Critics accused her of exploiting the tragedy for political gain. Warren, however, stated that the donations would go to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians returned to the heavily destroyed northern Gaza Strip as Israel lifted its closure, following a 15-month war with Hamas. The temporary ceasefire also facilitated the release of hostages and prisoners, marking a crucial step towards de-escalation.
US President Donald Trump is receiving rare accolades from animal advocacy groups like PETA for federal agencies' plans to phase out animal testing. The FDA and EPA are shifting towards humane alternatives, with the FDA using lab-grown organoids and AI. The EPA is reinstating a Trump-era directive to eliminate animal testing by 2035.
China condemned US import bans on 37 additional Chinese companies, calling the forced labour allegations 'malicious' and 'groundless.' The US Department of Homeland Security's move targets firms involved in mining and processing minerals, textile manufacturing, and solar module production in Xinjiang, where Beijing is accused of detaining Uyghurs. China vows to protect its firms' rights and interests.
Russell Vought has been confirmed as the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget by the US Senate, despite strong Democratic opposition. Vought, previously holding the same post, is key in Trump’s plan for reshaping the federal government. Controversy surrounds an OMB order that halts federal aid, with Democrats challenging its legality.
President-elect Trump criticized Biden's immigration policies for recent violent attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas. He blamed Biden's 'Open Border’s Policy' for increased crime, citing the New Orleans attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who carried an ISIS flag.
Howard Lutnick has been appointed as the new US commerce secretary, securing a pivotal role in President Trump's trade agenda. A proponent of protective tariffs, Lutnick will oversee key economic initiatives and play a crucial role in shaping international trade policies, particularly regarding China.
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders voted against Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation as the Director of National Intelligence. Elon Musk called Sanders a fraud as the old video of 2016 when Tulsi Gabbard stepped down from her DNC vice chair position to support Sanders as the presidential candidate against Hillary Clinton went viral.