News

The New York Times reports: A Virginia man was arrested this month with what federal prosecutors described in court papers on Monday as the largest cache of “finished explosive devices” ever found in the F.B.I.’s history. The man, Brad Spafford, was taken into custody at a farm outside Norfolk on Dec. 17 on the basis of a single-count criminal complaint …

The New York Times reports: A sweeping blackout hit Puerto Rico early Tuesday morning, plunging nearly all of the island into darkness on New Year’s Eve. As of 10:20 a.m. Eastern, only 13 percent of Puerto Rico’s 1.4 million utility customers had power, according to the tracking page of Luma Energy, which supplies power to the U.S. territory. The company …

Politico Europe reports: Chancellor Olaf Scholz hit back at tech billionaire Elon Musk for attempting to influence the outcome of Germany’s snap election on Feb. 23 by endorsing the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). “You, the citizens, decide what happens in Germany,” Scholz said in a New Year’s address to be broadcast Tuesday, according to a text circulated in …

The Associated Press reports: Almost 3 in 4 Americans plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home instead of going out, according to a new poll. The survey, published Tuesday by The Associated Press-NORC Research Center, revealed that 72 percent of those planning to ring in the New Year will do so from their own home. Another 21 percent said …

Via press release from the city of Sydney: The event features one of the world’s largest, most technologically advanced displays of fireworks, lighting and projections. Sydney New Year’s Eve plays live to more than 1 million spectators along the Sydney Harbour foreshore, and reaches a global audience of more than 425 million. For the first time ever, fireworks will dazzle …

NBC News reports: The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation after a private jet carrying the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team nearly crossed a runway as another flight was taking off Friday at Los Angeles International Airport. The plane operated by Key Lime Air was ordered by air traffic controllers to stop as a Delta aircraft took off. No …

Axios reports: A South Korean court approved an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-Yeol on Tuesday morning local time, Yonhap News Agency first reported. The warrant related to Yoon’s brief martial law declaration this month that sparked widespread protests and shocked allies would mark the first time one has been issued for an incumbent president in South Korea, per …

The Associated Press reports: The world population increased by more than 71 million people in 2024 and will be 8.09 billion people on New Year’s Day, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Monday. The 0.9% increase in 2024 was a slight slowdown from 2023, when the world population grew by 75 million people. In January 2025, 4.2 births and …

Politico reports: The House Ethics Committee closed investigations into at least four members Monday for violating campaign finance rules. The investigations involved Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Wesley Hunt (R-Tex.), Ronny Jackson (R-Tex.), Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) and “other confidential matters that have been under review.” The committee declined to disclose further details on those cases. In a statement, Jackson hailed the …

The Times of Israel reports: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was awake and recovering after a successful prostate removal surgery at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, his office said in a statement late Sunday evening, adding that the premier had been moved to an underground, fortified recovery ward. “The surgery ended successfully without complications,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in …

ABC News reports: The discount chain Big Lots, which filed for bankruptcy protection in September, has reached a deal that will keep hundreds of its stores and distribution centers open. Big Lots said Friday it will be sold to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, a firm that specializes in distressed companies. Gordon Brothers will then transfer Big Lots’ stores, distribution centers …

NBC News reports: The office of New York’s attorney general released body camera footage Friday showing the fatal beating of a state prisoner this month by correctional officers who punched and kicked him repeatedly while he was handcuffed on an infirmary bed. The incident, which has drawn outrage from political leaders and was condemned by the officers’ union as “incomprehensible,” …

SF Gate reports: After a deep investment in electric vehicles — Hertz purchased 100,000 Teslas three years ago — the country’s second-largest rental car company is starting to scale back on its Tesla stock by selling off its electrified fleet at eye-raising prices. A Hertz customer posted a screenshot on Reddit last week with a deal to purchase a 2023 …

USA Today reports: A massive sinkhole formed Thursday off the shoulder of a heavily trafficked interstate highway in New Jersey, forcing motorists to take detours to avoid the area. The sinkhole formed after a section of the right lane and shoulder collapsed near the Wharton exit on Interstate 80 eastbound, about 40 miles west of New York City. Officials estimated …

Reuters reports: President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday dissolved Germany’s lower house of parliament to pave the way for snap elections on Feb. 23 following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-way coalition. “Especially in difficult times, like now, stability requires a government capable of acting, and reliable majorities in parliament,” which was why early elections were the right way forward …

The Associated Press reports: Florida condominium owners are looking at higher costs from condo associations in the new year, a consequence of a safety law passed by state lawmakers in 2022. It requires associations to have sufficient reserves to cover major repairs and to conduct a survey of reserves every decade. Because of the law, older condos — found largely …

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports: Texas gained more new people than any other state between July 2023 and July 2024, according to Census data. Texas’s population jumped by 562,941 people. Florida saw the second highest numeric growth with 467,347 new people and California the third with 232,570. Every state saw an increase in international migration. Texas saw the third largest …

The Telegraph reports: An Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed on Christmas Day was “likely shot down by a Russian military air defence system,” a UK-based aviation security firm has said. The crash immediately prompted speculation that the aircraft was shot down by Russia after it took a detour of hundreds of miles in the wrong direction and crash-landed with holes …

Hawaii News Now reports: A person has been found dead in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane at Maui’s Kahului Airport. “The Maui Police Department is currently conducting an active investigation regarding a deceased individual discovered on an incoming flight from the mainland this afternoon. At this time, no further details are available.” The flight reportedly originated from …

The Associated Press reports: All you have to do to become a South Dakota resident is spend one night. Stay in a campground or hotel and then stop by one of the businesses that specialize in helping people become South Dakotans, and they’ll help you do the paperwork to gain residency in a state with no income tax and relatively …