María Corina Machado says she presented Trump with her Nobel peace prize medal

Senate Republicans defeat Venezuela war powers resolution as Trump pressures 2 GOP senators to flip

Senate Republicans voted to dismiss a war powers resolution that would have limited President Donald Trump's ability to conduct further attacks on Venezuela after two GOP senators reversed their support. The outcome demonstrated Trump's influence over the Republican conference, but also highlighted concerns about his foreign policy ambitions.

Potential Red Sox rotation (@peteabeglobe.bsky.social)

What would your rotation be?

U.S. withdraws some forces from Middle East as Trump weighs Iran strikes

The Pentagon has initiated a partial withdrawal of U.S. troops and assets from al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar as President Trump deliberates on potential military action against Iran. This move mirrors previous precautions taken before strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. The U.S. is concerned about managing any counterstrike from Iran, especially given the recent threat to target al-Udeid Air Base. The drawdown comes amid ongoing protests in Iran, where the regime has responded with a brutal crackdown, leading to thousands of casualties. The U.S. military's ability to respond quickly in the region is constrained by the absence of an aircraft carrier nearby.

Iran signals plans for fast trials and executions while promising ‘decisive response’ to US, Israel

Iranian officials have signaled that fast trials and executions are planned for suspects detained in nationwide protests, while the Islamic Republic has promised a 'decisive response' if the U.S. or Israel intervene in the domestic unrest. The threats emerged as some personnel at a key U.S. military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate following President Donald Trump’s escalated warnings of potential military action over the killing of peaceful demonstrators.

Red Sox reportedly agree to five-year deal with starting pitcher Ranger Suarez worth $130 million

The Boston Red Sox have reportedly agreed to a five-year, $130 million deal with starting pitcher Ranger Suarez, bolstering their rotation after losing out on Alex Bregman.

Flying foxes die in their thousands in worst mass-mortality event since Australia’s black summer

In the worst mass mortality event for flying foxes since Australia’s black summer, thousands of these bats have died in the recent heatwave across South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. Extreme temperatures over 42 degrees Celsius led to the deaths, with grey-headed flying foxes, listed as vulnerable, being the most affected. Volunteers and wildlife organizations are working to rescue and care for the surviving bats, but the loss of life is significant, with researchers estimating at least 1,000 to 2,000 deaths in South Australia, thousands in Victoria, and up to 1,000 in New South Wales.

Kick streamer Konvy shot at during live stream

This news article reports on a shooting incident involving Kick streamer Konvy during a live stream in New York. Footage from the broadcast captured the moments surrounding the incident, which occurred in the Longwood section of the Bronx. A 23-year-old man, believed to be fellow streamer ItsJJx, was grazed by a bullet on the left side of his head and taken to Lincoln Hospital, where he is expected to recover. No arrests have been announced, and the motive for the shooting remains unclear.

Republicans in Congress push back against the probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell

U-Haul plows through crowd of Iran protesters in Westwood

A U-Haul truck plowed into a crowd of protesters in Westwood during a demonstration in support of Iranian protesters. The incident occurred as hundreds marched to show support for Iranian protesters amid the ongoing crackdown in Iran, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds. It is unclear if any injuries have been reported from the incident.

Scientists create replica human womb lining and implant early-stage embryos

Researchers have developed a replica human womb lining in a lab, allowing them to observe early-stage human embryos implanting and producing key pregnancy compounds. This breakthrough offers insights into the early stages of pregnancy and potential causes of miscarriage. The engineered lining, created using uterine tissue from healthy women, mimics the environment of a real womb and enables scientists to study the chemical interactions between the embryo and the womb lining. This research could lead to improved understanding and treatments for implantation failures and other pregnancy complications.

Watch a Supernova's Expansion Over 25 Years in Dramatic NASA Timelapse

This article from ScienceAlert discusses a NASA timelapse video showcasing the expansion of Kepler's Supernova remnant over 25 years. The supernova, first observed in 1604, is a Type Ia supernova that resulted from the explosive death of a white dwarf star. The video, presented by astronomers Jessye Gassel and Brian Williams, reveals the rapid expansion of the supernova's ejecta, with some parts moving at speeds up to 8,700 kilometers per second. The remnant, located 20,000 light-years away, provides valuable insights into the behavior of supernovae and the distribution of heavy elements in the universe.

New video shot by ICE agent who killed Renee Good shows what happened

Newly released video shows the moments leading up to the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis protester, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The footage, shot by the agent who fired the shots, depicts Good taunting the agent while sitting in her car, smiling, and saying 'That's fine dude. I'm not mad.' Her wife, Rebecca Good, also appears in the video, urging the agent to 'show his face' and saying, 'Go get yourself some lunch big boy.' Despite being ordered to exit her vehicle, Good revved the engine and drove off, leading the agent to fire three shots, one of which went through the front windshield and killed Good. The incident has sparked widespread debate and division in the United States.

Senators urged Apple and Google to remove X and Grok from app stores over sexual deepfakes

Three Democratic senators urged Apple and Google to remove Elon Musk’s apps X and Grok from their app stores after Grok was used to generate sexualized nonconsensual images of real people. The senators cited the companies' terms of service, which appear to forbid such activity, and asked them to enforce their policies.

Dogs can recognize a bad person and now there's science to prove it

This article from Good discusses a study from Kyoto University that confirms dogs can recognize untrustworthy humans. The study demonstrated that dogs can quickly determine if a person is reliable and will remember if someone lies to them, refusing to trust that person in the future. This suggests dogs have sophisticated social intelligence and evolved selectively in their history with humans.

Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’

Senate advances measure to restrict Trump's power to use military force in Venezuela

The Senate voted 52-47 to advance a bipartisan resolution to restrict President Trump's power to use military force in Venezuela without congressional approval. Led by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine and co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Rand Paul, the resolution argues that Trump's actions are 'clearly illegal' as they were taken without the required congressional authorization. The measure, which is expected to pass the Senate and face House approval and a presidential signature, sends a message to Trump about the limits of his foreign policy powers.

Minneapolis investigators denied case material by the FBI related to the ICE shooting and has withdrawn

The FBI will lead the investigation into the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE official in Minneapolis, as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has been denied access to case materials. The BCA was initially involved but was withdrawn from the investigation by federal officials. The ICE official claims self-defense, while local leaders dispute this claim.

ICE shoots and kills a woman they claim tried to run them over at a protest in Minneapolis

Officials are investigating an ICE-related shooting in Minneapolis, according to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The incident, which reportedly involved a vehicle ramming, occurred amid a large-scale DHS operation targeting businesses accused of hiring illegal immigrants and those involved in human trafficking and fraud. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Rep. Ilan Omar have both called for ICE to leave the city, citing chaos and terror in immigrant communities.

U.S. rolls out new dietary guidelines backing more protein and full-fat dairy

The Trump administration released updated U.S. dietary guidelines encouraging Americans to eat more protein and full-fat dairy, while cutting back on ultra-processed foods and added sugars. The guidelines return to a pyramid shape, emphasizing protein, dairy, healthy fats, along with fruits and vegetables. The guidance aligns with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement, but stops short of the sweeping changes some nutrition experts had expected.

US carrying out operation to seize Russian flagged tanker

The US is carrying out an operation to seize the Venezuela-linked oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella-1, which has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. The vessel changed its name, flag, and registration in an attempt to evade US authorities. The owner of the Marinera, a Turkey-based company, was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. The tanker has been pursued by US Coast Guard vessels across the North Atlantic, with Russia reportedly deploying a submarine to escort it.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif. has died.

Béla Tarr, Hungarian Master of Slow Cinema, Dies at 70

Béla Tarr, the Hungarian director known for his slow cinema style and stark black-and-white visuals, has died at 70. His films, including 'Satantango' and 'The Turin Horse,' have influenced arthouse cinema and filmmakers like Jim Jarmusch and Gus Van Sant.

No safety inspections at site of Swiss bar fire for past five years, mayor says

The mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Féraud, has admitted that the bar that caught fire on New Year's Eve, killing 40 people and injuring over 100, had not been inspected for safety for the past five years. Féraud expressed deep regret and promised full transparency in the investigation. Authorities believe the fire started from sparklers held too close to the ceiling, which was clad with soundproofing foam. The municipality has joined the criminal proceedings and will contribute to establishing all facts.

‘House of the Dragon’ Showrunner Ryan Condal Confirms Season 4 Will Be the Last

Ryan Condal, showrunner for 'House of the Dragon,' confirmed on the Escape Hatch podcast that season 4 will be the last. The third season, currently in post-production, is expected to premiere in the summer, with season 4 predicted to debut in 2028.

Cops Forced to Explain Why AI Generated Police Report Claimed Officer Transformed Into Frog

This article discusses the use of AI-powered software Draft One by the Heber City police department in Utah to automatically generate police reports from body camera footage. However, the software made a glaring mistake when it claimed that an officer had transformed into a frog, due to picking up on background chatter from the movie 'The Princess and the Frog'. The incident highlights the importance of correcting AI-generated reports and raises concerns about the potential for biases and lack of accountability in the use of such technology.

‘Stranger Things’ Finale Delivers $25M+ To Movie Theaters After New Year’s Play

The finale of Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ generated over $25 million in concession revenue for movie theaters, with AMC Theaters accounting for $15 million of that amount. The event, which took place over New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, saw over 753,000 attendees at AMC theaters, where seats were sold with a $20 food and beverage credit. This theatrical release was a collaborative effort between Netflix and AMC, aiming to explore the potential of Netflix content in theaters.

The U.S. State Department has urged Americans to leave Russia immediately

The U.S. State Department has renewed its 'do not travel' advisory for Russia, citing terrorism risks and wrongful detention threats as the war with Ukraine continues to escalate. The advisory highlights the potential for arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the limited ability of U.S. officials to assist Americans in Russia.

Rian Johnson Rick Rolled Us in the latest Knives Out movie

The Verge article reveals that the gym in the new Knives Out movie was subtly designed to resemble the setting from Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' music video, creating one of the world's most understated Rickrolls.