Japan's Mingei art movement is having a revival as it turns 100 years old

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, was defended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against accusations of Nazi sympathies. Musk responded with humor, making Nazi puns on social media. While some criticized Musk's actions as antisemitic, others defended him, stating that his gesture was not a Nazi salute but a clumsy attempt at illustrating his point. The visit to Israel in 2023 and previous controversies surrounding antisemitic content on X were also mentioned....

Father Bashar Basiel, a Catholic priest in the Christian village of Taybeh in the occupied West Bank, found himself restricted by newly installed gates at the village entrance following a ceasefire in Gaza. The Israeli military set up numerous checkpoints and erected iron gates throughout the West Bank, significantly impeding movement for commuters and residents alike. This sudden change has left Palestinians feeling trapped and uncertain about the future, unable to make plans or move...

After a two-week closure following the Eaton fire, Pasadena's Willard Elementary School welcomed back kindergartners, who were happily engaged in play. Over 3,400 students returned to 10 district schools, with a meticulous cleanup effort underway to ensure safety. The district plans to gradually reopen all campuses by the end of January, with parents expressing relief and hope for the future. Full Article

Schools have been closed and travel warnings issued in parts of the UK due to the impending arrival of Storm Eowyn, which is expected to bring 100mph winds causing a danger to life. Red weather warnings will be in effect in Northern Ireland from 7am and in Scotland from 10am on Friday, with amber and yellow warnings across the rest of the UK. Hundreds of schools will shut, all trains in Scotland will be halted,...

In Gaza, a ceasefire holds as humanitarian aid arrives, but two Palestinians are killed by Israeli tank fire, exacerbating the toll on children who require mental health support. Simultaneously, Israel conducts operations in the West Bank, prompting Palestinian officials to demand accountability for prisoner deaths. Full Article

Montreal filmmaker Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two received five Oscar nominations, including best picture, best production design for Patrice Vermette, best cinematography, best sound, and best visual effects. However, the film notably did not receive a nomination for best director, which is seen as a significant snub considering Villeneuve's acclaimed work on the film. Full Article