Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je Indicted on Corruption Charges
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Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je Indicted on Corruption Charges

Former presidential candidate and Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je has been indicted on corruption charges, with prosecutors seeking up to 28.5 years in prison. The 65-year-old politician is accused of accepting $500,000 in bribes related to real estate dealings during his mayoral tenure and misreporting campaign finances from his recent presidential bid. Ko, who has denied the allegations, was arrested in September and remains in detention. He is among 11 individuals being prosecuted, including several members of his Taiwan People's Party who face charges of misappropriating political donations. The indictment comes after Ko's significant showing in January's presidential election, where he secured over 25% of the vote, finishing third behind the ruling Democratic People's Party candidate Lai Ching-te, who received 40%. Ko had positioned himself as an alternative to Taiwan's two main parties, criticizing the DPP's approach to Beijing relations while […]

Biden Signs Law Making Bald Eagle Official National Bird After 241 Years
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Biden Signs Law Making Bald Eagle Official National Bird After 241 Years

President Joe Biden has signed legislation officially designating the bald eagle as the United States' national bird, formalizing a role the species has symbolically held since 1782 when it first appeared on the Great Seal of the United States. The legislation, led by Minnesota lawmakers and recently passed by Congress, gives official recognition to the bird that has long served as a national emblem. "For nearly 250 years, we called the bald eagle the national bird when it wasn't," noted Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center. The bird's selection as a national symbol has historical controversy. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin opposed the choice, describing the bald eagle as a "bird of bad moral character." However, many valued the species for its unique status as a North American native and its traditional associations with […]

Election Protests Lead to Mass Prison Break in Mozambique
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Election Protests Lead to Mass Prison Break in Mozambique

Over 1,500 prisoners escaped from a facility in Maputo, Mozambique, during political unrest following disputed election results. Police Chief Bernardino Rafael reported that 33 people died and 15 were injured during confrontations with guards, with approximately 150 escapees subsequently recaptured. The incident occurred Wednesday when anti-government protesters approached the prison. According to Rafael, inmates took advantage of the situation to breach a wall and escape. The unrest began after Mozambique's constitutional court confirmed the ruling Frelimo party's victory in October's presidential elections, though with revised figures showing Daniel Chapo winning 65% of the vote compared to opposition candidate Venรขncio Mondlane's 24%. The capital city Maputo has experienced significant disruption, with businesses closed and residents staying home during what observers describe as the worst unrest since Frelimo came to power in 1975. Violence has spread across the country, with Frelimo offices, […]

14 Security Personnel Killed in Clash Near Tartous as Syria's Transition Continues
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14 Security Personnel Killed in Clash Near Tartous as Syria’s Transition Continues

Fourteen interior ministry personnel were killed and ten injured in what Syria's new authorities describe as an ambush by forces loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad near Tartous. The incident occurred Tuesday when security forces attempted to arrest a former officer connected to the Saydnaya prison facility near Damascus. The confrontation comes just over two weeks after Assad's government fell to rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ending the Assad family's 50-year rule and forcing them to seek refuge in Russia. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that three militants also died in the clash, and security forces later brought reinforcements to the area. Meanwhile, authorities imposed an overnight curfew in Homs following unrest sparked by a video allegedly showing an attack on an Alawite shrine. The interior ministry claimed the video was from November's rebel […]

Rescue Operation Ongoing After Building Collapse in Rongo, Migori County
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Rescue Operation Ongoing After Building Collapse in Rongo, Migori County

Emergency responders are currently conducting rescue operations after a multi-story building under construction collapsed in Rongo, Migori County. The incident occurred around 3:00 PM, with an unconfirmed number of people believed to be trapped in the debris. Rongo Sub-County Police Commander Salim Fundi confirmed that an excavator has been deployed to assist with the rescue efforts. Meanwhile, Migori County Secretary Oscar Olima reported that the county government's emergency response team is on site, with ambulances and heavy equipment supporting the operation. One woman has already been rescued from the collapse site and transported to Migori County Referral Hospital for medical treatment. First responders continue to work at the scene as the rescue operation remains active. The emergency response includes coordination between local police and county government teams, who are working to locate and extract any remaining individuals trapped in the […]

US and South Korea Partner to Combat Cryptocurrency Crime
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US and South Korea Partner to Combat Cryptocurrency Crime

The United States Department of Homeland Security and South Korean government have announced a collaborative initiative to address cryptocurrency-related cybercrime. The partnership focuses on developing advanced technologies to protect crypto platforms from cyberattacks, strengthen infrastructure security, and improve the tracking of stolen digital assets. A key focus of the research will be investigating methods used to launder stolen funds and convert them into cryptocurrencies through ransomware attacks. The collaboration is particularly significant given South Korea's concerns about North Korea's cyber activities, as the US government reports that the North Korean Lazarus Group has allegedly stolen approximately $900 million in 2024. Recent events highlight these concerns. The decentralized exchange Hyperliquid experienced $476,000 in suspicious Ethereum transactions, leading to $60 million in user withdrawals, though the platform denied being targeted by the Lazarus Group. North Korea reportedly uses cryptocurrency mixing services like […]

Son Inherits Family's Tourist Cave, Fulfilling Childhood Dream
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Son Inherits Family’s Tourist Cave, Fulfilling Childhood Dream

At age five, Oliver Bowerman was surprised when his parents announced they were moving to a cave. Rather than a Stone Age lifestyle, his family had purchased Stump Cross Caverns, a tourist attraction in Yorkshire Dales. The Bowermans acquired the cave system in 2003 after responding to a newspaper ad describing it as a "once in a generation" opportunity. Originally discovered by lead miners in the 19th century, the caverns became a tourist site in 1926 under Septimus Wray's ownership. Now, 22 years later, Oliver is taking over management from his mother Lisa. After completing his psychology degree, he joined the family business, bringing fresh ideas including plans to open a new section previously accessible only to potholers. "To be in a position to hand it over to somebody with such an amazing business brain and such a vision for […]

Spanish Coach ABANDONS Championship Club for Dream Job at Struggling Valencia
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Spanish Coach ABANDONS Championship Club for Dream Job at Struggling Valencia

Valencia has named Carlos Corberan as their new head coach after paying a ยฃ3-4m release clause to acquire him from West Bromwich Albion. The 41-year-old Spaniard has signed a contract running through 2027 with his hometown club, which currently sits second-bottom in La Liga. Corberan leaves West Brom after a successful 14-month tenure during which he guided the team from a relegation battle to playoff contention, despite operating under significant financial constraints. The club achieved a ninth-place finish in his first season and reached the playoff semi-finals last term. Currently, West Brom sits seventh in the Championship table. Valencia made the appointment following the dismissal of Ruben Baraja, who managed just two wins in 17 league matches this season. The Spanish club faces an immediate challenge, with their next fixture against Real Madrid scheduled for January 3. West Brom has […]

NBA Star EXPLODES at Female Ref, Gets Ejected
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NBA Star EXPLODES at Female Ref, Gets Ejected

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was ejected during his team's 111-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs following a dispute over officiating. The incident occurred at 2:59 in the first half when referee Jenna Schroeder called Embiid for his third personal foul after a collision with Victor Wembanyama. Embiid contested the call and became increasingly animated, removing his protective face mask during the confrontation. Officials issued him two technical fouls, resulting in his automatic ejection. Earlier in the game, a similar situation had occurred when Philadelphia's Andre Drummond received two technical fouls for a challenge on Wembanyama, though that decision was later reversed. Despite Embiid's early departure, the 76ers secured the win behind Tyrese Maxey's strong performance of 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Wembanyama finished with an impressive stat line of 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 blocked […]

Armed Gang Attacks Media Event in Haiti, Leaving 3 Dead
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Armed Gang Attacks Media Event in Haiti, Leaving 3 Dead

Armed attackers killed three people, including two journalists and a police officer, during a press briefing at Haiti's largest public hospital in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday. The incident occurred as media gathered to cover the hospital's reopening announcement, awaiting Health Minister Lorthe Blema's arrival. The Viv Ansanm gang alliance, which controls significant portions of the city, claimed responsibility for the attack. In an online video, they stated they hadn't authorized the hospital's reopening after previously occupying and destroying it in March. The facility had been recaptured by Haiti's government in July. Journalists Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean were among those killed, according to the Online Media Collective spokesman Robest Dimanche. Police spokesman Lionel Lazarre confirmed an officer's death. Several others were wounded in the attack. Photojournalist Dieugo Andrรฉ, who witnessed the violence, told The Haitian Times, "It felt like a terrible […]

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