News Symmary for Tue Jan 07 2025

Brutal Winter Hits the U.S.: Deaths, Power Outages, and School Closures

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Brace yourselves, the U.S. is getting hit by a massive winter storm!** Parts of the northeast have already seen several inches of snow, with temperatures plummeting and driving conditions worsening. The Midwest isn't faring any better, with power outages and weather-related deaths being reported. Chicago and Cape May, New Jersey, are feeling the chill, and the forecast doesn't look promising. Stay warm and safe, folks!

Moldova Pushes for Transnistria's Reintegration Amid Energy Crisis

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Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean insists on the reintegration of Transnistria, starting with the withdrawal of Russian troops. Ukraine has offered to help Transnistria with its energy crisis, potentially disrupting the Kremlin's plans to blame Moldovan President Maia Sandu for the humanitarian catastrophe. The Moldovan government is allowing Transnistrians to use the opportunities available to other citizens as part of a 'remote' reintegration process.

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Pravda UAhttps://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/01/7/7492372/

Tragic Discovery: Two Dead Found in JetBlue Plane Landing Gear Compartment

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In a shocking incident, two people were found dead in the landing gear compartment of a JetBlue plane that had landed in Florida. The discovery was made during a routine inspection after the plane had landed. The individuals gained access to the aircraft through a mechanism still under investigation, highlighting the risks of stowing away in the wheel well, which includes freezing temperatures and low oxygen levels. This is the second such incident in recent weeks, with a body found in a United Airlines plane wheel well over the holiday period. The FAA reports that about 80% of people who hide in the wheel well or another external compartment of an aircraft die during a flight.

Syria's Damascus Airport Reopens for International Flights: A New Era of Travel

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After 13 years, Qatar Airways landed at Damascus airport, marking the first commercial flight since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The airport is under assessment for full reopening, and Jordan's flagship carrier, Royal Jordanian, also confirmed a test flight. The reopening is a symbol of a new era of travel and a sign of normalizing ties in Syria.

Trump Team Scores Major Legal Win: Report Release Blocked

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Trump Team Scores Major Legal Win: Report Release Blocked
A federal judge has temporarily blocked special counsel Jack Smith from releasing his report on Trump's alleged 2020 election interference and improper retention of classified records.
The order comes after Trump co-defendants Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira filed an emergency motion to block the report's release.
The order remains in effect until three days after a resolution is announced from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
This is a developing story, with more details to come.

Meta Expands Board with UFC Chief, Auto Tycoon, and AI Expert

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Meta, the social media giant that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has added three new members to its board of directors. Dana White, the president and CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), is a familiar figure in the orbit of incoming President Donald Trump. Auto tycoon John Elkann is the CEO of Exor, a Netherlands-based investment company, and chairman of its two auto companies, Stellantis and Ferrari. Charlie Songhurst, a former Microsoft employee, joined Meta last year to advise on artificial intelligence. These additions bring a diverse set of skills and experiences to Meta's board, reflecting the company's global reach and interests.

Guantanamo Prison Shrinking: 11 Yemeni Detainees Transferred to Oman

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Guantanamo Prison Shrinking: 11 Yemeni Detainees Transferred to Oman
The U.S. has transferred 11 Yemeni detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Oman. This brings the total number of detainees to just 15, the lowest since the prison was opened in 2002.

  • Transfer: The Defense Department announced the transfer on Monday.
  • No Charges: None of the men were ever charged with crimes.
  • Remaining Detainees: Three are eligible for transfer, three are eligible for a Periodic Review Board, seven are involved in the military commissions process, and two have been convicted and sentenced by military commissions.

This is a significant step towards closing the controversial prison.

Originally published on CBS News and Sky News*

Monkey in Tutu Captured in Missouri Just Before Winter Storm

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A spider monkey in a pink tutu** was spotted in Missouri and quickly captured before a winter storm hit the region. The monkey had slipped out of a nearby home and was returned to its caretaker after some coaxing. This incident shows how law enforcement officers need to be prepared for anything!

Damascus Airport Reopens for International Flights: A Sign of Syria's Recovery?

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Good news from Syria! Damascus International Airport has reopened for international flights, starting from January 7. This comes after the suspension of operations due to vandalism and looting following the ousting of President Bashar Assad. Domestic flights had already resumed in December. Qatar Airways has announced that it will resume flights to the Syrian capital, with three weekly flights starting from Tuesday. Saudi Arabia has also launched a humanitarian air bridge to Syria, delivering much-needed aid to the war-torn country. But what does this mean for Syria's recovery? Only time will tell.

Tragic Tesla Explosion Outside Trump Hotel: A Soldier's Desperate Cry for Help

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A soldier's desperate plea for help turned tragic on New Year's Day when he blew up a rented Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.** Matthew Livelsberger, 37, a decorated Army veteran suffering from PTSD, left notes explaining his actions were a 'wake-up call' for the country's ills. In letters, he expressed political grievances, societal problems, and international issues, including the war in Ukraine. Livelsberger died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound prior to the blast, which injured seven bystanders. Authorities believe he acted alone, and it appears to be a tragic case of suicide.

Deadly Quake Hits Tibet, Killing Dozens and Injuring Hundreds

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On Tuesday, a powerful earthquake struck the mountainous region of Tibet, leaving at least 53 people dead and hundreds injured. The quake, with a magnitude of 6.8, was felt in neighboring Nepal and India, causing panic among residents. The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported multiple aftershocks, the largest of which measured 4.4 in magnitude. Emergency workers have been deployed to search for survivors in the rubble. A holy city, Xigaze, the seat of the Panchen Lama, was among the areas affected, with buildings collapsing and debris spilling out onto roads. Earthquakes are common in the region, but Tuesday's quake was the most powerful recorded within a 200-kilometer radius in the last five years. A 7.8-magnitude quake killed some 9,000 people in Nepal in 2015.

Trump to Be Sentenced Virtually in New York Hush Money Case

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Donald Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in New York on Friday for 34 felony counts of falsification of business records related to a hush money payment made in 2016. Trump's lawyers have been working to postpone the proceedings, but prosecutors say he has elected to appear virtually. This accommodation is rare in New York criminal courts and is typically used for those who are hospitalized.

Tragedy in Thailand: Student Killed by Elephant at Popular Tourist Spot

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In a tragic incident, a 22-year-old Spanish student, Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, was killed by an elephant while bathing it at the Koh Yao sanctuary in Thailand. The sanctuary, which is currently closed, is known for providing responsible and ethical interactions with elephants. The animal care center has confirmed the incident, stating that the elephant did not gore the student as previously reported. The university student's death has shocked her former school, Pinoalbar Development School. Experts suggest that the elephant may have been stressed due to the pressure of living and interacting with tourists. In Thailand, over 240 deaths from wild elephant attacks have been reported in the past 12 years, with 39 deaths reported in 2024 alone.

Trump's 2024 Victory Certified Amid Tight Security

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Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election has been certified by Congress, led by Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump plans to pardon some of the 1,500 people charged with taking part in the Capitol assault in 2021. The certification comes after Trump described the event as a 'big moment in history' on his Truth Social platform.

Eastern Ukraine Under Heavy Attack: Sumy Oblast Under Siege

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Ukraine's Sumy Oblast has seen a surge in Russian attacks this year, with a four-fold increase in strikes compared to last year.** Over the past day, Russian forces have conducted 52 attacks on 10 hromadas in the oblast, using a variety of weapons like VOG high-explosive fragmentation grenades, FPV drones, mortars, and guided bombs. Settlements in the Sumy and Shostka districts are suffering the most from artillery shelling and aerial strikes. Despite this, the military administration reports that there have been no recorded instances of Russian forces crossing the Ukrainian border into Sumy Oblast. **Ukrainian forces and border guards have been swiftly dealing with individual sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the enemy.

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Pravda UAhttps://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/01/3/7491829/

U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel Sue Biden Administration Over Blocked Deal

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U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel Sue Biden Administration
U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over the decision to block Nippon Steel's proposed takeover of U.S. Steel. The companies argue that the decision was made for political reasons, violating their due process. Biden halted the acquisition after federal regulators deadlocked, citing national security concerns.

Biden blocked the deal for strategic reasons
Companies allege political motivations
U.S. Steel needs urgent capital investment
Nippon Steel paid a premium for the purchase