The Balochistan Liberation Army claims to have hijacked a Pakistani train carrying over 100 soldiers. They are negotiating with Pakistani authorities and have released children and elderly women. The Jaffar Express, carrying 450 passengers, came under attack in Balochistan, causing severe injuries to the train's driver. Emergency measures have been imposed.
Related news
House Republicans have proposed a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown, increasing defence funding while cutting nondefence spending. The bill faces opposition from Democrats, who seek equal funding for defence and domestic programs. With President Trump's backing, Republicans aim for a Tuesday vote, risking a Senate filibuster and potential shutdown if it fails.
South Korea's central bank on Tuesday slashed interest rates and its annual growth forecast as it looks to bolster the economy in the face of US tariffs and amid the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law last year. The economy grew less than expected in the final three months of 2024 as Yoon's martial law move hit consumer confidence and domestic demand.
US special counsel Jack Smith determined Donald Trump engaged in a criminal effort to stay in power post-2020 election defeat, but Trump's impending return to office hindered the trial. Smith defended his unbiased investigation, while the report revealed additional details regarding the January 6 Capitol attack and sensitive document retention charges.
Mexico extradited 29 high-profile cartel figures, including Rafael Caro Quintero, to the US, amid escalating pressure from President Trump’s administration to combat drug trafficking. This move, coinciding with Mexican officials' visit to Washington, aims to strengthen US-Mexico ties and addresses Trump's tariff threats, significantly impacting bilateral relations and cartel operations.
Laura Jane Grace, a transgender punk rocker, performed at Bernie Sanders' event in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as part of his 'Fight oligarchy' tour. Sanders and other Democrats are holding town halls to connect with voters.
Two prominent Turkish journalists, Timur Soykan and Murat Agirel, were detained on Thursday, sparking outrage and accusations of politically motivated charges. Their newspapers assert the arrests are linked to their critical coverage of the government and recent protests. The journalists are accused of blackmail related to the sale of a TV channel, but supporters claim the real motive is to silence dissenting voices and suppress investigative journalism.
Switzerland is among 15 nations selected by the U.S. for privileged tariff negotiations following widespread trade disruptions. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter expressed satisfaction with recent talks in Washington, highlighting the U.S.'s desire for a swift resolution. The U.S. has been Switzerland's top export market since 2021, with bilateral trade reaching $185.9 billion in 2023.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his son X celebrated New Year's Eve with US President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. A viral video captured Musk and Trump enjoying the party, with Musk dancing with his son on his shoulders. Trump had earlier invited Musk to the event, highlighting the festive atmosphere at Mar-a-Lago.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, staffed by young individuals like 19-year-old Edward Coristine, has raised concerns over access to sensitive government data. Coristine, a freshman dropout and entrepreneur, had established numerous companies and briefly worked at Neuralink before joining DOGE. He was present at the crucial meeting where government staff were asked to justify their jobs.
A historic 200-year-old southern magnolia tree on the White House grounds is set to be removed next week due to its deteriorating condition. President Trump stated the removal is necessary for safety reasons and mentioned that the wood might be used for other noble purposes.