The devastating wildfires in California have exposed glaring deficiencies in public services while underscoring the effectiveness of private efforts. In Pacific Palisades, where entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, one striking exception remains: the upscale Palisades Village mall. Owned by billionaire Rick Caruso, the mall survived thanks to private firefighting teams and fire-resistant construction materials—measures unavailable to most residents.
Pennsylvania’s steel industry faced significant challenges this year as federal decisions threatened operations at two major companies: Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel. While Gov. Josh Shapiro joined bipartisan efforts to protect Cleveland-Cliffs’ Butler County plant, his neutrality on the U.S. Steel merger has drawn criticism from state lawmakers and workers.
Joel Pollak, Breitbart News senior editor-at-large, criticized California's government response to the Pacific Palisades wildfires during an appearance on Fox News Channel's The Ingraham Angle Thursday night. Pollak praised residents for stepping up to help each other while accusing government leaders of being "completely AWOL" during the crisis.
Pope Francis called for greater compassion and dignity in addressing migration and emphasized the urgency of environmental care in his annual address to the diplomatic corps on Thursday. The pontiff criticized the treatment of migrants as mere "problems to be managed" rather than individuals with dreams, talents, and dignity.
In his annual report on the federal judiciary, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a stark warning regarding the need to preserve judicial independence, particularly as the United States faces increasing political polarization and challenges to the rule of law. With President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration just weeks away, Roberts addressed the growing concerns about attacks on the judiciary and the importance of ensuring that judicial decisions remain unaffected by external pressures.
Nigel Farage delivered a hopeful New Year message from Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, highlighting Britain's challenges and opportunities for renewal. Speaking as a leader of Reform UK, Farage emphasized that the UK faces societal, economic, and cultural decline due to decades of poor leadership from both major parties. However, he expressed optimism about the political momentum gained by his party and called for a collective effort to rebuild the nation.
Taiwan's Presidential Office has conducted its first-ever tabletop exercise simulating a military escalation with China, reflecting the island's intensified efforts to prepare for potential conflict.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), Chair of the House Freedom Caucus, told Fox Business that the House GOP needs to consider if new leadership is needed to advance President-elect Donald Trump's agenda.
