Following Barbara Lee's victory in Oakland's mayoral race using ranked-choice voting, Donald Trump has strongly criticised the system, labeling it a "fraudulent joke" and a threat to democracy. Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank candidates by preference, potentially leading to broader appeal and reduced polarisation, though critics argue it can confuse voters and delay results.
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A woman was tragically burned to death on a Coney Island F train Sunday morning after a man allegedly set her on fire with a match. This incident follows a violent weekend in the NYC subway system, including a fatal stabbing on a 7 train and an assault on a D train conductor.
Luke Ford, a 35-year-old actor, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for rape, including Scotland's first 'stealthing' conviction. Ford deceived multiple women over 12 years, using dating apps to initiate contact before subjecting them to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. His stealthing conviction involved removing a condom without consent, an act classified as rape under UK law.
At least 20 people died and one survived a plane crash in northern South Sudan, with the aircraft crashing 500 metres from the runway. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff amid a routine mission near the region’s oil fields. An investigation is underway, and initial reports suggest a possible mechanical failure.
The White House Correspondents' Association has removed Amber Ruffin as the headliner for its annual dinner, citing tensions with President Trump. The WHCA aims to focus on awarding journalists and supporting young talent, amidst ongoing friction regarding media access and the press pool selection process.
Donald Trump Jr.'s new girlfriend, Bettina Anderson​ reportedly wanted to lead the president's committee on the Arts and Humanities and she has already sent words that she could help Donald Trump appeal to "more sophisticated and liberal Hamptons and Palm Beach types." But Mar-a-Lago insiders did not like this ambition and dismissed her as 'not MAGA enough'.
US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration will see notable absences, including Michelle Obama and Nancy Pelosi. However, former Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Biden will attend. World leaders like Argentina’s President Milei and Italy’s PM Meloni are also confirmed. Elon Musk will be present, while tech giants like Bezos and Zuckerberg will not attend. Performers include Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has affirmed that Canada will remain in a trade war with the United States due to tariffs imposed by Washington. In retaliation, Canada has implemented its own tariffs. The ongoing tensions are evident from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's disparaging remark about Trudeau.
Commercial aviation has experienced its deadliest year since 2018 with 318 fatalities, including the Jeju Air disaster and the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane. This reversal from 2023's record safety is marked by several tragic incidents, possibly exacerbated by global conflicts. Fatal aviation accidents, though rare, have surged this year.
Stanley Zhong, a teenager with a perfect academic record and a job at Google, is suing multiple universities after being rejected by 16 colleges. The lawsuits allege discrimination against Asian-American applicants in admissions, despite affirmative action being banned in California and by the US Supreme Court.
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck Myanmar on April 14, 2025, prompting India to send an Indian Army Engineers team under the Operation Brahma to assess the damage. The team is evaluating infrastructure in Naypyitaw and Mandalay, following a larger 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March. India is also providing humanitarian aid, including food and supplies, to local communities and the Indian diaspora.