Anne Marie Hochhalter, a survivor of the 1999 Columbine shooting that left her partially paralyzed, has died at 43. Despite enduring chronic pain, she dedicated her life to helping others and forgave one of the gunmen’s mothers in 2016. She found solace in a bond with another victim’s family. Hochhalter’s passing, suspected to be from natural causes linked to her injuries, reignites reflection on the tragedy and healing.
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledges $600 billion in US investments, backed by Trump’s endorsement. This move might leverage Saudi influence on oil prices to pressure Russia amid the Ukraine war. However, reducing oil prices may challenge Saudi economic goals and strain Russia ties, complicating mediation efforts but offering potential strategic benefits.
Noushin Faraji, a former Fox Sports hairstylist, has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by network executives and host Skip Bayless. Faraji claims Bayless made unwanted advances and propositions, while her complaints were met with retaliation. The suit seeks damages and highlights a toxic work culture at Fox.
Amy Gleason has been appointed acting administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency. Her previous experience includes working with the US Digital Service and health care startups. Elon Musk, not an employee of DOGE, advises Trump on government efficiency, sparking controversy among former US Digital Service members.
Taiwan plans to cull up to 120,000 green iguanas due to their adverse impact on agriculture. Around 200,000 iguanas are in Taiwan's central and southern regions. With no natural predators and rampant reproduction, these iguanas damage crops. Special teams killed 70,000 last year, promoting humane methods and public assistance in identifying nests.
Hamas has agreed to release an American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four others only if Israel adheres to the existing ceasefire agreement in Gaza. They demand immediate talks on the ceasefire's second phase, an end to humanitarian aid blockades, withdrawal from Gaza’s border with Egypt, and the release of more Palestinian prisoners.
A severe winter storm brought snow, ice, and strong winds to parts of the US, causing dangerous travel conditions and power outages. States such as Arkansas, Kansas, and Virginia declared emergencies. The National Weather Service warned of potentially record snowfall, with temperatures significantly below normal due to the polar vortex stretching south.
China is set to launch the Shenzhou 20 mission to its space station, with astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie embarking on a six-month stay. They will replace the current crew and conduct experiments, perform extravehicular activities, and improve the station. Chen Dong, a veteran astronaut, will lead the mission, while his crewmates will experience their first spaceflight.
Amidst the Trump administration's strict policies on international students, a Georgia court ruled in favor of 133 students, mostly Indians, whose SEVIS records were terminated by ICE. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU, alleged that ICE unlawfully terminated the records, potentially leading to deportation for minor violations, impacting their studies and work programs.
Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urges Western nations to seize $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's reconstruction. He argues that Russia, not Western taxpayers, should bear the cost for the destruction caused by its invasion of Ukraine, highlighting legal pathways and support from European leaders.
Elon Musk explains Trump Derangement Syndrome, noting how irrational some people become at the mention of Trump’s name. Despite Tesla’s significant government funding, Musk faces criticism for reducing federal positions and services, highlighting a debate on public investment and private benefit.