🇧🇾 Belarus Election: Lukashenko's Hold on Power Unshaken
As Belarus heads into the 2025 presidential election, Alexander Lukashenko is poised to secure a seventh term.
Dubbed "Europe's last dictator," his three-decade rule remains unchallenged. Critics label the election a "farce," as major opposition figures are either imprisoned or exiled.
Lukashenko's supporters emphasize stability over change, citing fears of chaos like in Ukraine. The EU has condemned the election as undemocratic, underscoring the harsh repression within Belarus.
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⚡️ Russian Ships Arrive in Tartous Amid Evacuation Speculation
Russian military-linked ships have docked at Tartous, Syria, amidst signs of a military withdrawal following the Assad regime's fall. Satellite images reveal stockpiled equipment, and reports claim the base’s lease has been canceled.
Experts link this movement to Russia’s broader strategic shifts, including ramped-up military support in Libya under Moscow’s Africa Corps initiative.
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⚡️ US-Canada Tensions Escalate Over Tariff Threats
At the World Economic Forum, President Trump criticized Canada’s trade policies, suggesting statehood as a way to eliminate the trade deficit and avoid tariffs.
While tariffs threaten critical Canadian exports like energy and auto parts, Trudeau stated Canada would respond forcefully if needed, while still working to prevent trade disruptions.
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🙄 Trump Pardons Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht
President Trump granted a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road dark web marketplace. Convicted in 2015 for drug trafficking, money laundering, and hacking-related crimes, Ulbricht had been serving a life sentence.
Trump defended the decision, citing government overreach in his conviction. Critics argue Ulbricht’s site facilitated over $200M in illegal drug sales. Libertarians had long pushed for his release, calling the case unjust.
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💊 War in Ukraine Drives Rise in Drug-Resistant Infections
Ukrainian hospitals report a surge in antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections, with over 80% of patients at Feofaniya Hospital showing resistance to standard antibiotics.
Overwhelmed medical facilities, high patient turnover, and limited resources exacerbate the spread of AMR bacteria. Soldiers, like Pte Oleksander Bezverkhny, face life-threatening infections that require rare and expensive antibiotics.
Doctors warn of the dual challenge of saving lives while avoiding overuse of "reserve" antibiotics, which could worsen resistance.
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😢 Forgotten Cat Travels Between NZ and Australia Three Times
Mittens the cat, traveling with her owner from Christchurch to Melbourne, was left behind in the plane’s cargo hold and made an unexpected return to New Zealand.
After being discovered, the airline turned on heating in the cargo hold and eventually flew Mittens back to her owner. The mix-up, reportedly caused by an obscured cage, led to apologies from Air New Zealand and a pledge to reimburse expenses.
Mittens' owner expressed relief upon their emotional reunion.
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⚡️ Hotel Inferno Kills Skiers and Families in Turkey
At least 66 people perished in a fire that tore through the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, Turkey. Among the victims were children, athletes, and university professors. Witnesses recounted the chaotic escape attempts, with some guests using linen to climb down windows.
The fire reportedly started in the restaurant area and spread rapidly, overwhelming emergency responders due to icy roads and remote access.
Investigators are probing safety violations, with survivors claiming fire alarms and escape routes were inadequate.
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🕑 Elon Musk faced criticism for a one-armed gesture during his speech at a Trump inauguration rally.
While many viewed it as a Nazi salute, Musk dismissed the accusations, saying critics were overreacting. Historians and political analysts expressed concern over the gesture, especially given Musk’s recent alignment with far-right politics.
Supporters argued the move was an innocent expression of gratitude. The controversy comes as Musk assumes a new role in Trump’s administration, co-leading the Department of Government Efficiency.
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⚡️ In his inaugural address, Donald Trump emphasized his commitment to putting America first.
He spoke about tackling the economic challenges facing ordinary Americans, promising to restore jobs, protect American workers, and focus on rebuilding infrastructure.
Trump also mentioned his desire to reduce unnecessary regulations, making it easier for businesses to thrive. While he emphasized unity and patriotism, there was no mention of his past controversies or his previous administration.
His speech called for a "revolution of common sense" to restore the nation’s greatness.
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Donald Trump will be inaugurated today as the 47th US President.
The ceremony, scheduled for 11:47 AM EST (16:47 GMT), will take place indoors at the Capitol Rotunda due to extreme cold in Washington. After the swearing-in, Trump will deliver his inaugural address and attend evening inaugural balls.
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🥶 Cold Weather Forces Trump's Inauguration Indoors
Donald Trump confirmed his January 20 inaugural ceremony will be held indoors at the U.S. Capitol rotunda, shifting from its usual outdoor setting due to dangerously low temperatures.
The parade and inaugural events will also relocate to the Capital One Arena. Forecasts predict temperatures as low as -11°C (12°F), among the coldest in U.S. inauguration history.
Organizers had initially prepared for over 220,000 attendees, but the new arrangements will drastically limit capacity.
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🎥 Trump Signals Extension for TikTok Ahead of Ban Deadline
Donald Trump stated he will "most likely" provide TikTok with a 90-day extension to postpone the app’s ban, which is currently scheduled for Sunday. The announcement is anticipated after his swearing-in as president on Monday.
TikTok, which faces criticism for its Chinese ownership, risks being pulled from US app stores unless its parent company ByteDance complies with legislation requiring a sale by January 19. ByteDance has declined to do so.
The app has become a central platform for content creators and small businesses in the US, raising concerns about the potential economic fallout of a shutdown.
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👩🚀 Suni Williams Performs Spacewalk as NASA Delays Return to Earth
NASA astronaut Suni Williams, who has been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for seven months, stepped outside for a spacewalk on Thursday.
Originally scheduled to return in June 2024, Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore’s return was delayed due to technical problems with their spacecraft. They are now expected to return in late March or April. During the spacewalk, Williams and astronaut Nick Hague worked on ISS maintenance, including repairing equipment that manages station orientation.
Williams will perform a second spacewalk on January 23 with Wilmore to remove antenna components and prepare a backup part for the Canadarm2.
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⚡️ Deportation Threats Grow as Trump’s Inauguration Nears
With Donald Trump set to take office, immigrant communities across the U.S. are preparing for his promise of mass deportations. In Chicago, congregants at the Lincoln United Methodist Church are anxiously planning for the worst, as Trump has vowed to expel millions of undocumented migrants.
Meanwhile, further south in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, a significant portion of the local Latino population is rallying behind Trump's tougher stance on immigration, arguing that immigration must be done legally. As plans for detention centers emerge, local leaders in Texas see it as a potential boost for the region’s economy, though critics warn it could lead to human rights abuses.
In Chicago, the debate over sanctuary city laws rages on, with some Latino residents backing Trump’s immigration agenda.
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🇩🇪 Habeck Defends Nuclear Phase-Out Amid Allegations of Ideological Motives
Robert Habeck, Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs, rejected claims of deception regarding the nuclear phase-out in an inquiry committee session. He stated that the decision was based on a thorough, open-ended review, without ideological preconditions, and focused solely on whether it would contribute to energy security.
Opposition parties, however, accused Habeck of making a decision driven by ideological reasons. Habeck responded, countering accusations that the review was biased, and claimed previous governments had led Germany into a dangerous dependency on Russian gas.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be questioned next.
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⚡️Four Israeli Hostages Released in Gaza Ceasefire Swap
Hamas released four Israeli women, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, as part of a Gaza ceasefire agreement. They were captured on October 7, 2023, during an attack on the Nahal Oz army base.
In return, Israel agreed to release 200 Palestinian prisoners. This marks the second hostage exchange since the ceasefire began, with more releases expected in the coming weeks.
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⚡️ Reddit Communities Ban X Links Over Musk’s Gesture
Over 100 Reddit groups have banned X links following Elon Musk’s controversial arm gesture at a Trump rally, which critics likened to a Nazi salute. Musk dismissed the comparisons, but many Reddit moderators deemed his actions offensive.
Communities like r/NBA, r/NFL, and r/TwoXChromosomes, with millions of members, are enforcing the ban, potentially affecting X’s traffic and engagement. Reddit clarified there’s no platform-wide ban, leaving content moderation to individual subreddit teams.
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🤖 Tech Giants Launch $500 Billion AI Initiative in the US
OpenAI, Oracle, Japan's SoftBank, and UAE’s MGX are partnering on "The Stargate Project," a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative announced by President Trump.
The project, aimed at reinforcing US leadership in AI, will construct data centers nationwide, with $100 billion in funding ready and more promised over four years.
Elon Musk criticized the project’s funding claims, sparking a public exchange with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
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🌝 Does China Control the Panama Canal? Examining Trump's Claims
Former President Trump claimed that China "operates" the Panama Canal, but this is inaccurate. The canal is managed by the Panama Canal Authority, a Panamanian government agency.
However, Chinese companies like Hutchison Port Holdings operate adjacent ports, raising US concerns over China's strategic influence. While Chinese investments and trade in Panama have grown significantly, this does not equate to control over the canal itself.
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⚡️ Trump’s Riot Pardons Stir Controversy
Trump’s pardons for nearly 1,600 Capitol riot participants, including high-profile figures like Jacob Chansley, have sparked debate. Pamela Hemphill, who served jail time, rejected her pardon, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability.
Hemphill and Republican critics see the mass clemency as undermining public safety and law enforcement. Despite the backlash, Trump defended the move, citing the harsh prison conditions faced by the convicts.
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Trump Pardons Over 1,500 Capitol Riot Defendants
President Donald Trump issued pardons and commutations for over 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riot. Among those granted clemency are 14 members of far-right groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, including Stewart Rhodes and Enrique Tarrio, both convicted of seditious conspiracy.
The executive order also drops pending charges against others involved. Democrats sharply criticized the move, calling it a betrayal of justice and a rewriting of history, while Trump defended the action as a step toward national reconciliation.
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Trump outlined his key plans:
👩💻 America enters a new golden age.
👩💻 God saved me to make the country great again.
👩💻 I'll sign historic orders to restore common sense.
👩💻 Border stabilization — troops to stop the migrant flow and return criminals to their home countries.
👩💻 Energy crisis emergency — we'll stop inflation by lowering energy prices.
👩💻 A big drilling program to lower oil prices and export globally.
👩💻 Tariffs and taxes on foreign countries to enrich American citizens.
👩💻 There will only be two genders in the USA — male and female.
👩💻 The Panama Canal will become the American Canal!
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⚡️ During last night, crypto activity surged to new heights.
Melania Trump announced her meme token, which soared over 11,000%. Donald Trump supported her with a post on X.
Phantom wallet for Solana recorded a stunning 8 million requests per minute as people rushed to buy meme tokens.
BTC hit a new ATH, with Trump-linked projects dominating the market.
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⚡️ Donald Trump’s $Trump Cryptocurrency Takes Market by Storm
Ahead of his inauguration, Donald Trump unveiled his cryptocurrency, $Trump, which surged to a $5.5 billion market cap just hours after launch.
Issued by CIC Digital LLC, the meme coin is marketed as a symbol of Trump’s resilience, with disclaimers emphasizing its non-investment nature. Critics argue the project’s timing and structure are predatory, given Trump affiliates control 80% of tokens.
Despite past skepticism, Trump hinted at pro-crypto policies, raising expectations among investors.
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❗️ Russian Airstrike Kills Three in Kyiv’s Center
Three people have been killed in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities reported. The Shevchenkivskyi district sustained heavy damage, including a business center now reduced to a shell.
Witnesses said explosions occurred before air raid sirens sounded, highlighting the speed of the Iskander-M missiles used. This is the second fatal strike on Kyiv this month.
The attack comes as Ukraine faces uncertainty over future U.S. aid under President-elect Donald Trump, whose administration is set to begin shortly.
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❗️ Wind Weakens in LA, Giving Firefighters a Break from Wildfires
Los Angeles firefighters battling massive wildfires were given some relief on Thursday as the fierce winds that had been pushing the flames began to subside. The two fires, which have scorched 40,000 acres and killed 25 people, have shown signs of containment.
Despite progress, authorities warn of ongoing risks due to dry conditions and the possibility of Santa Ana winds returning next week. Evacuation orders remain in effect for 82,400 residents.
The fires have already caused massive destruction, and with no rain expected, the situation remains critical.
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🎥 Trump Moves to Block TikTok Ban, Adviser Confirms
As the deadline for a potential TikTok ban approaches, Donald Trump is reportedly working on a way to keep the popular app operational. His incoming national security adviser, Congressman Mike Waltz, confirmed that Trump would act if the Supreme Court upholds the law that mandates ByteDance must sell the app by January 19.
The Biden administration is also looking for solutions to prevent the shutdown, with reports suggesting a 90-day extension could be granted. Trump is contemplating an executive order to suspend the ban, though it remains unclear if such an action could override the law.
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Record Ocean Temperatures Drive Climate Change Impact
In 2024, the world's oceans became hotter than ever, marking a significant shift in global climate patterns. An international research team published a study in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, showing that the temperature of the oceans, including the upper 2,000 meters, has risen to new extremes.
The oceans, which cover 70% of the Earth's surface, absorb around 90% of excess heat from climate change, affecting weather patterns. The heat content in the top 2,000 meters increased by 16 zettajoules from 2023 to 2024, contributing to more severe weather phenomena, such as storms and flooding.
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💩 Nigeria Delays Open Defecation Deadline to 2030
Nigeria's government has revised its deadline to end open defecation, now targeting 2030 instead of 2025. With 48 million people still practicing open defecation, the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has launched several initiatives like PEWASH and SURWASH.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is involved in mobilizing youth to address the sanitation crisis. The government aims for a cleaner Nigeria, with progress made in certain local governments and states declared open defecation-free.
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