Russia sharply criticized the United States on Saturday following reports of a large-scale military strike on Venezuela, describing the operation as an act of armed aggression and warning that the situation risks further destabilization if restraint is not exercised. The condemnation came after a series of explosions were reported in Caracas in the early hours of the morning, raising fears of a major escalation in an already volatile geopolitical standoff. In a statement issued by t

The United States launched coordinated military strikes on several locations across Venezuela on Saturday, December 3, according to official statements from Venezuelan authorities. The reported attacks targeted strategic defence installations in and around the capital, marking a sharp escalation in tensions b

A professional violinist has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging that he was dismissed from a concert tour with actor and rapper Will Smith after reporting what he describes as a disturbing hotel room intrusion that raised serious safety and harassment concerns. The legal filing claims the termination amounted to retaliation and names both Smith and a management company connected to the tour as defendants. According to the complaint, the violinist, Brian Ki

Tensions between Washington and Tehran intensified on Friday after a senior Iranian official warned that U.S. military installations and personnel across the Middle East could be targeted if the United States intervenes in Iran’s internal unrest. The warning came hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States was prepared to protect protesters in Iran if authorities used force against them. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament,

Victoria Jones, the daughter of Academy Award-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones, was found dead in a San Francisco hotel in the early hours of New Year’s Day. She was 34. Emergency responders were called to the Fairmont hotel shortly before 3 a.m. after reports of an unresponsive woman. Paramedics arrived at the scene and confirmed that Jones had died, according to officials familiar with the response. A spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department said emergency crews were disp

An iconic feature of Newark’s industrial skyline is being dismantled as ownership of the city’s longtime Anheuser-Busch brewery changes hands. Crews arrived at the sprawling factory complex early Friday morning, signaling the start of work to remove the illuminated eagle that has stood above the brewery for decades. The towering sign, visible from surrounding neighborhoods and major roadways, has long been associated with the facility and has become a familiar sight for generations of res

Chicago’s newly approved budget is now in effect, introducing a series of tax changes that will be rolled out in stages throughout the year. While some measures began immediately on Jan. 1, others are scheduled to take effect in the coming weeks and months, gradually reshaping costs for consumers and businesses across the city. Among the changes that began with the start of the new year is an increase in the checkout bag tax. Shoppers now pay 15 cents per grocery bag, up from the

A 25-year-old student from Telangana lost his life in Germany after attempting to escape from a fire that broke out in his apartment building on December 31, turning what should have been the start of a new year into a moment of deep grief for his family and community. The student, Hruthik Reddy, hailed from Malkapur village in Jangaon district and had been residing in Brandenburg, near Berlin, while pursuing higher studies. According to information provided by his family, a fire er

Amid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the United States State Department has urged China to halt its recent military activities near Taiwan, warning that the drills are unnecessarily heightening regional instability. The call followed a two-day military exercise conducted by China around Taiwan, which included missile launches and the deployment of fighter jets, naval vessels, and coast gua

Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that it had transferred what it described as evidence showing that Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian presidential residence earlier this week, an allegation that Kyiv and Western governments have firmly rejected. The announcement adds to rising diplomatic tensions as Moscow and Washington continue discussions related to the broader war in Ukraine. According to the ministry, fragments of a Ukrainian drone recovered after an alleged attem

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Warren Buffett formally stepped down as chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway on the final day of 2025, ending a 60-year tenure that reshaped American corporate history. The transition, long anticipated by investors and company insiders, marks the close of one of the most influential leadership runs in global business. At the age of 95, Buffett will remain chairman of the holding company he transformed from a struggling textile firm into a diversified conglomerate valued at more than

Several people are feared dead and multiple others were injured after a powerful explosion struck a popular bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland early Thursday, according to local police. Authorities said the blast occurred during New Year celebrations, when the venue was crowded with revellers welcoming the start of the year. Police in Wallis canton confirmed that the explosion took place at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time at Le Conste

Congress adjourned for the year without renewing enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, a decision expected to significantly affect health coverage across Ohio beginning in 2026. State health policy analysts warn that as many as 140,000 Ohio residents could lose insurance coverage as premiums rise sharply following the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025. The Affordable Care Act has provided premium tax credits since 2014 to help eligible individuals a

Mass transit agencies across the tri-state area have announced special service schedules for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with adjustments aimed at accommodating holiday celebrations while maintaining essential transportation access. Riders are advised to plan ahead and review schedules carefully, as service levels will vary by mode and day. In New York City, subway service will largely operate on a regular schedule on New Year’s Eve, with additional overnight service on

As the calendar turns to a new year, New Year’s Day remains a federal holiday across the United States, bringing widespread closures for government offices, schools, banks and financial markets. At the same time, many major retailers and grocery chains plan to welcome customers on January 1, 2026, often with adjusted hours and post-holiday discounts aimed at clearing older inventory. Shoppers and consumers are encouraged to confirm local schedules in advance, as operating hours can vary by

Illinois is set to enter 2026 with sweeping changes to state policy as more than 200 new laws take effect at the start of the year, touching nearly every aspect of daily life. The legislation approved by lawmakers spans healthcare access, workplace protections, public safety, education standards, insurance coverage and the growing role of artificial intelligence, marking one of the most expansive legislative updates in recent years. Several of the most consequential measures focus o

Chinese President Xi Jinping used his annual New Year’s Eve address to reaffirm Beijing’s long-standing position on Taiwan, declaring that reunification with the self-governing island was inevitable. Speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, Xi said that bringing Taiwan under China’s control was “a trend of the times” that could not be stopped, reiterating a pledge that has become a central pillar of his leadership. The speech came just one day after the conclusion of large-scale

A century ago, the notion of restoring lost senses or detecting ancient life beyond Earth belonged firmly to science fiction. In 2025, such ideas moved decisively into reality as a series of scientific breakthroughs reshaped long-standing assumptions across medicine, space science, climate research, and artificial intelligence. These advances did not arrive as distant promises or speculative theories, but as working solutions that delivered measurable results and altered how science interacts