Olympics pre-race triathlon event in Seine River canceled over water quality concerns

The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Louisiana for routinely holding inmates past their release dates, violating their rights and costing taxpayers millions of dollars. More than a quarter of inmates scheduled for release since 2012 have been affected. State officials attribute the problem to past criminal justice reforms and claim the lawsuit is a political move by President Biden. Louisiana's prison system, including the notorious Angola prison, has faced ongoing criticism for its...

The city of Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, known as the traditional birthplace of Jesus, will not celebrate Christmas as usual due to the ongoing war in Gaza. This year, there will be no public Christmas tree, no scouts march, no decorations, and no twinkling lights to show respect for the conflict. The city will forego its typical holiday festivities in light of the current situation. Full Article

Multiple drones crashed during a holiday drone show at Eola Lake in Orlando, Florida, injuring a 7-year-old boy who was hospitalized. Video footage captured drones falling from the sky during the event, prompting the city to cancel the second show due to technical difficulties. The FAA will investigate the cause of the malfunction, as drone shows are subject to regulations that ensure safety measures are in place. The city had hired Sky Elements Drones as...

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected President-elect Donald Trump's threat to demand control of the Panama Canal if the country continued charging high fees, emphasizing that the waterway belongs solely to Panama and its sovereignty is non-negotiable. Trump had suggested reclaiming the canal, built by the US but handed over to Panama in 1999, due to alleged unfair charges, prompting Mulino to defend the established rates based on market conditions and operational needs, leading...

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins in a blockbuster trade, solidifying their rotation. The deal did not involve trading away third baseman Alec Bohm, who holds significant value in the trade market. The Phillies are unlikely to actively shop Bohm unless a trade offer too good to refuse comes along, as he is considered more valuable than any reliever or outfielder currently available. Full Article

The IRS will be issuing over $2 billion in stimulus payments to Americans who never received their 2021 economic impact payments. Payments of up to $1,400 will be sent to those who qualified but left the recovery rebate credit blank on their 2021 tax return. The IRS Commissioner stated that these payments will be automatic, with no need for taxpayers to file an amended return, and should be received by late January 2025. Full Article