Haiti continues to spiral into chaos, with more than 5,600 people killed in 2024 as gangs tighten their grip on the nation. A U.N. report released Tuesday highlights a 20% rise in killings compared to 2023, alongside over 2,200 injuries and nearly 1,500 kidnappings. Gang violence has displaced more than 700,000 people, leaving many in overcrowded, unsanitary shelters.
Imam Nader Taha, a mathematics professor at Kent State University and religious leader at the Islamic Society of Akron and Kent (ISAK), is facing widespread condemnation after a video of his sermon praising the October 7 terrorist attacks surfaced. The sermon, delivered on December 13, 2024, described the attacks as a “miracle” and a victory against the “Children of Israel.”
Gary Shapley, the IRS supervisory special agent who exposed alleged misconduct in the Hunter Biden tax investigation, has called for sweeping reforms at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and his own agency. Shapley’s testimony and subsequent disclosures have raised concerns about political bias and systemic issues within federal institutions.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his handling of the nation’s child grooming gang scandal on Monday, responding to increased scrutiny following remarks from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
Senior Department of Justice prosecutor Jay Bratt, a central figure in the “documents” case against President-elect Donald Trump, has reportedly resigned ahead of the incoming administration. Bratt, formerly chief of the DOJ’s counterintelligence and export controls section, faced scrutiny for alleged ethical misconduct during his time on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team.
Luigi Mangione, the Maryland Ivy League graduate charged with assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has retained Craig Rothfeld, a high-profile prison consultant known for advising disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein.
On Saturday, the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a rocket that struck the Erez Crossing, a critical border point for humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
In a move that raises eyebrows, the Biden administration has announced a $306 million investment aimed at bolstering bird flu monitoring and preparedness efforts across the United States.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has ordered an open investigation into the mayor of Coalcoman, Michoacan, after a controversial Christmas party where local government officials allegedly praised drug lords from the notorious Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG). The party, attended by city officials and a high-ranking military officer, reportedly saw cartel members distributing gifts to children, with a banner later thanking the cartel’s leader, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, and his sons for their “generosity.”
