Biden warns 'dangerous' oligarchy taking shape in farewell address

A provision in the US Senate's draft defense spending bill would require the Pentagon to report to lawmakers before reducing troop levels in Syria, ensuring that any changes meet the mission's objectives against ISIS. This measure aims to prevent a potential withdrawal during Syria's volatile transition, as tensions rise between Kurdish forces and the Assad regime over political autonomy and integration. Want More Context? 🔎

A New Jersey State Police sergeant, Ricardo Jorge Santos, is suspected of murdering his ex-girlfriend Lauren Semanchik and her boyfriend Tyler Webb in a targeted attack before dying by suicide. Following a 911 call reporting gunshots, police found the victims in Semanchik's home, and surveillance footage revealed Santos had followed her there prior to the incident. Want More Context? 🔎

A children's story time event featuring drag performers Lady Portia Di’Monte and Miss Dora Belle at Belfast's Holywood Arches Library was disrupted by protesters, leading to their police escort for safety. Advocates argue that such events promote inclusivity and are safe for children, while critics, including DUP's Gordon Lyons, deem them inappropriate. Want More Context? 🔎

Residents in Kalbarri and the surrounding Mid West will soon provide feedback on the proposed $15 billion Murchison Green Hydrogen project, which aims to develop a solar and wind-powered hydrogen facility north of Kalbarri. While the project promises economic benefits and jobs, concerns from locals and the Shire of Northampton about environmental impacts and access to coastal areas have emerged. Want More Context? 🔎

The Republican-led House oversight committee has issued subpoenas for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, including testimonies from prominent figures like Bill Clinton and James Comey, amid ongoing scrutiny of Epstein's case. The Justice Department denied the existence of a blackmail "client list" while reaffirming Epstein's death as a suicide and emphasizing their commitment to combatting child exploitation. Want More Context? 🔎

A tragic murder-suicide involving 46-year-old Nicholas Myles McIlraith and his 79-year-old mother, Beverley Joan McIlraith, occurred in Christchurch after family members were unable to contact them for over a month. Nicholas fatally attacked his mother, who suffered from dementia and other ailments, with a sword before taking his own life, following years of isolation and control over her. Want More Context? 🔎