Top Global Stories You Can’t Miss: Breaking News from Every Corner of the World
USA: New York to LA!
1. Former top aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams accused of bribery, money laundering:
The former top aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams was charged with receiving bribes in a classic “quid pro quo” scheme with a real estate business that financially benefited her and her son, officials said Thursday. Ingrid Lewis-Martin “engaged in a long-running bribery, money laundering and conspiracy scheme” to “illegally influence Department of Buildings and other city decisions in exchange for more than $100,000 in cash and benefits for herself and her son, Glenn Martin II,” DA Alvin Bragg said in a filing in state Supreme Court in Manhattan. Supreme Court is a trial court in New York state.
2. “Oklahoma Executes Final Inmate of 2024, Eyes on Biden”
In a stunning turn of Oklahoma on Thursday morning carried out the nation’s final execution of 2024, putting to death a former grocery store stocker convicted of murdering a 10-year-old girl in 2006. The execution of Kevin Ray Underwood by lethal injection, which was conducted on his 45th birthday, came after the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board unanimously rejected his request for clemency last week in the death of his young neighbor, Jamie Rose Bolin. The decision, although expected, was notable: This year is the first since 2016 without any state granting clemency to an individual sentenced to death, according to the nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center.
3. “U.S. Life Expectancy Sees Big Jump, Reaches Post-Pandemic High”
U.S. life expectancy saw a notable increase last year, reaching its highest level since the start of the Covid pandemic, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Released on Thursday, the report revealed that life expectancy at birth in 2023 was 78.4 years, a significant rise from 77.5 years in 2022. Ken Kochanek, a statistician at the National Center for Health Statistics and co-author of the report, noted, “The 0.9-year increase this year is unprecedented before the pandemic.”
4. Los Angeles County deputy admits violating transgender man’s civil rights
A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy has agreed to plead guilty to violating the civil rights of a California teacher who was assaulted after flipping off the deputy, authorities announced Wednesday. Deputy Joseph Benza III, 36, from Corona, was assigned to the Norwalk station and en route to a domestic violence call on February 10, 2023, when he saw Emmett Brock, a transgender teacher, make an obscene gesture. Benza then abandoned the confirmed call and began closely trailing Brock, at times speeding over 50 miles per hour, as outlined in a plea agreement filed in federal court on Tuesday.
ASIA
Return to home, Crashes, and Global trade
1. Two Malaysians freed from Guantanamo Bay after 18 years return home.
Severe Two Malaysian men, held at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay for 18 years, have returned home, according to Malaysia’s state news agency. Inspector General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed that Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep arrived in Malaysia late Wednesday, in good health, and were overjoyed to reunite with their families, as reported by Bernama.
2. Dozens dead in two passenger bus crashes in Afghanistan.
Two bus crashes in central Afghanistan have killed at least 50 people and injured dozens more, according to officials. The accidents took place on the same highway in Ghazni province between the capital, Kabul, and southern Kandahar city late on Wednesday, provincial head of information and culture Hamidullah Nisar said on X on Thursday.
3.India and Pakistan to skip rivals’ venues, including Champions Trophy
India will play next year’s Champions Trophy matches on neutral ground after refusing to visit Pakistan, hosts and archrivals, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said following weeks of wrangling. In return, Pakistan will also play upcoming ICC tournaments hosted by India in other countries, which are yet to be decided.
4. Is global trade transforming?
Geopolitical tensions, climate change, and technological advances are significantly reshaping global trade. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragilities within global supply chains, highlighting their vulnerabilities and pushing governments and companies to reassess how goods and services move across borders. This shift is causing a rise in protectionism, with countries prioritizing national interests and security over free trade. Regional trade blocs are emerging, aiming to create more localized economic partnerships. At the same time, production facilities are being relocated closer to home to reduce dependency on distant supply chains. Furthermore, the adoption of digital and sustainable solutions is accelerating, as businesses seek more resilient, environmentally-friendly, and technologically advanced ways to manage trade and logistics. These changes are transforming the future of international trade, making it more localized, sustainable, and adaptive to emerging global challenges.
MENA
zone of conflicts
1.Israel launches deadly strikes on Yemen after intercepting Houthi missile.
On Thursday, Israel carried out airstrikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen, hitting ports, power plants, and oil factories in Sanaa and the key port city of Hodeida. At least nine people were killed after Israel’s military intercepted a Houthi missile aimed at central Israel.
2.The Iran-led axis of resistance in the aftermath of Syria’s upheaval.
For decades, Iranian authorities have been carefully constructing an “axis of resistance,” uniting like-minded factions to oppose Israel and the United States across the region. This alliance has brought together armed groups and government actors from Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Palestinian organizations.
3.Leader of Syrian Kurdish forces speaks to FRANCE 24
Mazloum Abdi, the military leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), told FRANCE 24 that Turkey is “attacking” Syria’s Kobani region under the guise of self-defense against the SDF. Abdi discussed his proposition to achieve a ceasefire with Turkey, and the conditions necessary to uphold it.
4. HRW accuses Israel of ‘acts of genocide’ in Gaza
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday accused Israel of causing the deaths of thousands of Palestinians by systematically restricting and targeting Gaza’s water supply in a campaign that amounts to “acts of genocide”.
EUROPE
Global relations and conflicts.
1. Putin says ready to compromise with Trump on Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that he had not spoken to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in years but was “ready for negotiations and compromises” with him regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Putin’s comments came amid growing global attention on the potential shift in U.S. policy toward the conflict once Trump assumes office next month. Trump, who has previously emphasized his ability to broker a peace deal, claimed that he could secure a resolution to the Ukraine crisis within hours of his inauguration. However, he has yet to provide specifics on how he would achieve this ambitious goal or the approach he would take to engage both Russia and Ukraine. Putin’s willingness for dialogue highlights the geopolitical stakes and the uncertain path ahead for peace efforts in the region.
2. As Trump return looms, NATO chief Rutte stresses ‘urgently needed’ Ukraine support
During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Brussels, NATO leader Mark Rutte urged member states on Wednesday to ramp up their military backing of Kyiv to improve Ukraine’s standing over the next month. Donald Trump, who will be sworn in as US President on January 20, has claimed he’ll end Russia’s war in 24 hours, raising concerns that he will force the struggling Ukraine to negotiate a deal from a position of weakness.
3. Zelensky says Trump, EU must work together to ‘stop Putin and save Ukraine’
The mass rape trial that has sent shockwaves through France and the world is expected to close on Thursday with the conviction of Dominique Pelicot, who has admitted sedating his ex-wife, Gisèle, and inviting scores of strangers into their bedroom to rape her over a decade. The case has sparked widespread outrage and calls for stronger legal protections for victims of sexual violence. Throughout the trial, Gisèle’s testimony has revealed the harrowing extent of her suffering, bringing attention to the often-overlooked issue of long-term abuse and exploitation.
4. Europe’s Magical Christmas Markets: Festive Season Highlights
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged both the European Union and the United States to maintain unity on Thursday, especially with the prospect of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Zelensky emphasized that “European guarantees won’t be sufficient for Ukraine” and stressed the need for stronger and more comprehensive support from Western allies. He highlighted the importance of securing a durable peace, one that ensures Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. Zelensky called for a united front from both Europe and the U.S., underscoring that only through shared commitment and action can Ukraine hope to achieve lasting security and stability in the region.
