An Indiana family claims their 12-year-old daughter was denied a heart transplant due to being unvaccinated against Covid-19. The family, linked to vice president JD Vance, opposes vaccines on religious grounds. 12-year-old Adaline was born in China with two heart conditions. Her mother Janeed Deal is reportedly related by marriage to JD Vance's half-siblings.
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The FCC released a transcript of a contentious "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris, amid Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against CBS. The interview excerpt was edited for brevity, sparking allegations of news distortion. The FCC plans to seek public comment on the complaint.
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky's long-serving Republican senator, declared he will not seek re-election in 2026, marking his retirement at the end of his current term. At the age of 83, McConnell announced his decision amidst health-related incidents, underscoring a significant shift in Senate leadership.
Fifteen Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel under the Gaza ceasefire have arrived in Turkey, according to foreign minister Hakan Fidan. They were issued visas by the Turkish embassy in Cairo. This follows the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, where 33 Israeli hostages were released in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Some of the freed prisoners will be permanently exiled, with Turkey offering to take in a number of them.
A Florida physician, Stephen Andrew Leedy, is federally charged with child sexual exploitation, including encouraging minors to self-harm. This behavior allegedly led to the death of a 13-year-old girl. Leedy could face life imprisonment if convicted. His wife, Lynda Leedy, continues her leadership role in Pinellas County’s Juvenile Welfare Board.
​While the 51st state was a dinner table joke supposed to stay at Mar-a-Lago, it did not as it was widely reported and Trump too publicized it. MAGA supporters cheered after Freeland resigned as it was another blow to the Trudeau government and they credited Trump for delivering the blow as Donald Trump's tariff threat triggered the meltdown in the Trudeau government.
Columbia University agreed to policy changes after the Trump administration froze $400 million in federal funding over antisemitism concerns. Measures include a mask ban, new disciplinary protocols, and campus police authority to make arrests. The university will also appoint new leadership and develop a K-12 curriculum on antisemitism to address the situation.
Thailand's cabinet has approved a draft bill to legalise casinos, aiming to boost tourism and the economy. This new legislation will allow casinos within complex entertainment venues. The bill includes a 5,000 baht fee for Thai citizens to enter, while foreigners can access for free. The proposal is set for further review and parliamentary discussion.
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
Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure early Friday, one of the largest strikes of the war, according to President Zelensky. The attack involved missiles and drones, including at least one from North Korea. Ukraine managed to intercept many of the missiles, but several regions experienced power outages.
Vice-President-elect JD Vance did not commit to blanket pardons for January 6 rioters, stating that only those who protested peacefully should be considered. This stance contrasts with Donald Trump's promise of sweeping pardons on day one of his administration. ​“There’s a little bit of a gray area there,†Vance said.