This photo shows a fire that occurred following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Japan issued tsunami alerts and told people to evacuate seaside areas after a series of strong quakes on its western coastline Monday.
栗原一至/AP
Japan earthquake: Four dead and thousands stranded in New Year's Day tremor
Authorities in Japan say at least four people are dead as a result of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in central Japan on Monday, which also caused significant damage and stranded thousands. The quake, centered less than 200 miles northwest of Tokyo, struck at 4:10 p.m. local time on Monday and had a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS said more than 30 smaller aftershocks have occurred in the area since the initial quake.More Americans think foreign policy should be a top US priority for 2024, an AP-NORC poll finds
In this time of war overseas, more Americans think foreign policy should be a top U.S. priority for 2024.
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Buses of migrants boarding trains from NJ to NYC, officials say
It follows a crackdown by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
www.politico.com
Some Israelis allowed to return to border communities near Gaza Strip, military says
Israel's Home Front Command said Monday that some Israelis who fled their communities near the Gaza border after Oct. 7 can start to return to their homes.
Israel-Gaza live updates: Israel warns of 'short window' for diplomacy with Hezbollah
Live updates on the Israel-Hamas war.
Bill Clinton's office doesn't object to imminent unsealing of Jeffrey Epstein court documents
Former President Bill Clinton is expected to be among the names included in court filings that will soon be unsealed about deceased accused sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and the former president's office is not objecting to making that information public.
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Kennedy was assassinated decades ago. Could the 2024 campaign push the final sets of documents into public view?
More than 60 years after the assassination of JFK, some information remains withheld from the public.
www.nbcnews.comAmerican democracy has overcome big stress tests since the 2020 election. More challenges are ahead
A sitting president tried to overturn an election and his supporters stormed the Capitol to stop the winner from taking power.
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Iranian warship enters Red Sea amid Houthis’ ongoing attacks on commercial vessels
The Iranian warship, the Alborz, has entered the Red Sea at a time of ongoing attacks on commercial vessels by Houthi militants in Yemen.
The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2024 | CNN Politics
The high-stakes presidential election has taken on increased significance for Democrats’ precarious path to holding power in the Senate.
www.cnn.comRussia launches record number of drones in Ukraine, and Putin says Moscow will intensify its attacks
The attacks in the early hours of New Year’s Day follow a series of heavy aerial bombardments that began on Friday.
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Migrant encounters at southern border hit record 302K in December, sources say
Illegal migrant encounters broke all previous records in December 2023, with Customs and Border Patrol authorities reporting over 302,000 incidents in the last month of the year.
What to know about the new IRS tax brackets for 2024 — and who stands to gain
The Internal Revenue Service’s new federal income tax brackets and standard deductions took effect Monday, providing a boost to many people via slightly higher, inflation-adjusted paychecks.
www.washingtonexaminer.comPresidential candidate Haley cheers on Iowa hoops star Caitlin Clark in between campaign stops
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley finally got her wish to see Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark, catching the fourth-ranked Hawkeyes in between campaign stops.
apnews.comThe global elections Washington should be watching in 2024
Countries representing half the world population will head to the polls in what’s been dubbed the biggest election year in history.
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At least 8 dead after powerful earthquake strikes Japan, triggering tsunami warning
At least eight people have died after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 struck Japan on Monday, officials said.
Powerful earthquakes leave at least 57 dead, destroy buildings along Japan's western coast
Damage was so great that it could not immediately be assessed. Japanese media reports said tens of thousands of homes were destroyed.
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Holiday week "swatting" incidents target and disrupt members of Congress
At least three members of Congress reported being the victims of "swatting incidents" over the holiday week, according to a review by CBS News.
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No evidence of terrorism found yet in deadly New Year's crash near Rochester, New York, concert venue
The vehicle crash occurred outside an entertainment venue in upstate New York early New Year's Day as a concert was being let out, police said.
Lee Jae-myung: South Korea opposition leader stabbed in Busan.
Lee Jae-myung was stabbed on the left side of his neck during a news conference during a visit to Busan.
www.bbc.comIsrael's Supreme Court overturns a key component of Netanyahu's polarizing judicial overhaul
Israel’s Supreme Court has struck down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s contentious judicial overhaul.
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Trailblazing former Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, who served nearly 30 years in Congress, dies at 88 | CNN Politics
Former Democratic Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, who served nearly 30 years in Congress, died Sunday, according to a Facebook post from her son.
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Family, freedom and unity: House lawmakers reveal their 2024 New Year's resolutions
House lawmakers on both sides of the aisle dished on their New Year's resolutions to Fox News Digital before leaving town for the holidays.
Olympic host country France sees less New Year's Eve disorder as it celebrates 2024's arrival
France's interior minister says the Olympic host country saw fewer of the car burnings that usually blight the arrival of a new year as it celebrated the start of 2024.
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New laws for 2024: Gender-neutral toy aisles, retail pet stores and contraceptive access
The laws coming this year also include measures intended to outlaw book bans and to increase financial literacy among high schoolers.
www.nbcnews.com
Twenty-two states just increased their minimum wage. Here's what to know
New minimum wage increases took effect on Monday in 22 states, boosting wages for an estimated 10 million workers, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Russia launches record number of drones across Ukraine
Russia launched a record 90 Shahed-type drones over Ukraine during the early hours of the new year, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country would “intensify” its attacks on its neighbor
From gender-affirming care bans to minimum wage increases, these new laws take effect January 1 | CNN Politics
State legislatures across the country tackled controversial measures last year, while Congress secured a short-term spending bill.
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Migrants dropped at New Jersey train stations to avoid New York bus restrictions, NJ officials say
After New York City ordered restrictions on migrant buses arriving in the city, drivers began dropping riders off at train stations in New Jersey.
www.usatoday.com
Mental hospitals warehoused the sick. Congress wants to let them try again.
Lawmakers are on the verge of allowing Medicaid to cover substance use treatment in the facilities.
www.politico.comGerman officials detain a fifth suspect in connection with a threat to attack Cologne Cathedral
German authorities have detained another suspect in connection with an alleged threat of an attack on the world-famous Cologne Cathedral over the holidays.
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Left-wing climate group is quietly preparing judges for global warming cases
A Washington, D.C.-based judicial advocacy group that's focused on environmental law is quietly training dozens of judges nationwide on how to handle future climate change cases.
Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt JFK Airport in New York
Pro-Palestinian protesters assembled a car caravan on Monday in a bid to disrupt the operations of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.
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Why hospitals in several states are reinstating mask requirements
Amid a rise in COVID and flu cases and hospitalizations, several hospitals across the U.S. are reinstating mask requirements for staff and visitors.
IDF confirms death of Hamas leader involved in Oct 7 attack
The Israel Defense Forces announced that an airstrike killed Adil Mismah, a Hamas commander who helped lead the Oct. 7 massacre of more than 1,200 people.
Democrats upset with Biden administration for bypassing Congress on Israel weapons — again
Senate Democrats are fuming over the Biden administration’s decision to bypass Congress a second time to send weapons to Israel, citing mounting concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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Israeli Supreme Court hands Netanyahu a loss on judicial overhaul as Hamas war rages
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suffered a blow from the country's supreme court on Monday after it struck down a portion of his judicial reforms.
Bangladesh court sentences Nobel laureate Yunus to 6 months in jail. He denies violating labor laws
A labor court in Bangladesh’s capital sentenced Muhammad Yunus to six months in jail for violating the country’s labor laws.
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The Wisconsin Supreme Court has thrown out the GOP-drawn district maps. That could be a huge change for the purple state
Wisconsin Republicans are likely to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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10 shot, 2 fatally, at Los Angeles New Year's warehouse party: Police
Ten people were shot, two fatally, during a New Year's party in downtown Los Angeles, police said.
Israel Supreme Court strikes down judicial reforms
The controversial plans triggered nationwide protests last year against Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
www.bbc.comPakistan human rights body says an upcoming election is unlikely to be free and fair
Pakistan’s independent human rights commission says there is little chance of free and fair parliamentary elections in the country next month because of “pre-poll rigging.”
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'Complete inaction': Congressional ethics violators of 2023 have yet to be held accountable, watchdog says
Conservative government watchdog Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust says the Office of Congressional Ethics is violating its mission of investigating alleged violations.
John Roberts warns AI will ‘transform’ Supreme Court but ignores Trump and ethics in report
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts published his annual year-end report on Sunday and focused his review on the promise and pitfalls artificial intelligence poses to the judiciary.
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Electric vehicle sales are slowing. No need for panic yet, insiders say.
EV sales slowed down in 2023. Will the trend reverse this year?
Why fears about Biden’s marijuana moves are overblown
Former top FDA official Howard Sklamberg doesn’t see how loosening federal restrictions will lead to a crackdown on state-legal markets.
www.politico.comZapatista indigenous rebel movement marks 30 years since its armed uprising in southern Mexico
Members and supporters of the Zapatista indigenous rebel movement are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their brief armed uprising in southern Mexico.
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More Americans can now get insulin for $35 | CNN Politics
More Americans with diabetes will get a break on their insulin costs in 2024.
www.cnn.com
Iran sends warship to Red Sea after US takes out Houthi vessels
Iran has sent a warship to the Red Sea a day after the United States announced it had destroyed "Iranian-backed Houthi small boats" that were attempting to attack a shipping vessel.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Chicago mayor says Texas governor causing "chaos" with migrant transport
Two Democratic mayors said there's been a lack of coordination from the governor of Texas.
www.cbsnews.comThe New Year offers a clean slate for long-elusive resolutions. Will 2024 be the year to keep them?
It’s an annual end-of-year exercise in futility for many. But a clean slate awaits at the stroke of midnight for the next round of resolutions.
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Israeli forces reveal footage of K9 unit clearing houses in Gaza, uncovering Hamas weapons
Israel detailed its K9 operations in Gaza with newly-released footage on Monday, citing two instances where Israeli dogs "neutralized" terrorists.
2 men arrested in connection with Ugandan Olympic runner's killing in Kenya, police say
Police say two men have been arrested in connection with the killing of Ugandan Oympic runner Benjamin Kiplagat, who was found fatally stabbed in a car in Kenya on New Year’s Eve
Social Security benefits increasing this month due to higher cost of living. Here's the payment calendar
It's the third year in a row inflation has prompted an increase in Social Security checks. Here's when you can expect to see bigger payments.
www.usatoday.com
Michigan beats Alabama 27-20 in overtime on Blake Corum's TD run to reach national title game
Blake Corum rushed for a 17-yard touchdown on the second snap of overtime, and top-seeded Michigan advanced to its first College Football Playoff championship game with a 27-20 victory over fourth-seeded Alabama in the Rose Bowl.
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Japan lowers its tsunami warning but still tells people not to go home after a series of earthquakes
The largest quake had a magnitude of 7.6.
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Police in Kenya suspect a man was attacked by a lion while riding a motorcycle
Kenyan police have recovered the body of a man believed to have been attacked and killed by a lion while riding a motorcycle near a national reserve in the south of the country
Four ways Hunter Biden could drag down Joe Biden in 2024
President Joe Biden loves his son, yet Hunter Biden's legal troubles and very public defense could prove a political headache for the president heading into what's shaping up to be a particularly nasty election cycle.
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Biden reveals New Year's resolution is to 'come back next year': Report
President Biden reveals his 2024 New Year's resolution is to "come back next year," during vacation in St. Croix on Saturday as he gets ready for election year.
Mexican actor Ana Ofelia Murguía, who voiced Mama Coco in ‘Coco,’ dies at 90
“Coco,” which was released in 2017, brought Murguía to an international audience late in life.
www.nbcnews.com
Harvard students call for Claudine Gay's resignation
Students at Harvard University are calling for university President Claudine Gay to resign from her position following scandals involving her response to antisemitism and allegations of plagiarism in several of her past works.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
22 people hospitalized from carbon monoxide poisoning at Mormon church in Utah
Twenty-two people were hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning over the weekend at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church in central Utah.
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Amazing images from James Webb telescope, two years after launch - BBC News
The most powerful observatory ever put in space is performing better than anyone could have imagined.
Playbook: Welcome to 2024. Buckle up.
And Israel says it will pull some troops back from Gaza.
www.politico.com
Warnings grow about risky IV drips and injections at unregulated med spas
Infectious disease and ER doctors say they are seeing more severe infections and other injuries associated with the facilities, which can operate with little oversight.
www.nbcnews.com
Green Day alters ‘American Idiot’ lyrics to bash Trump
The rock band Green Day used a televised New Year’s Eve performance Sunday night to change the lyrics to one of their most popular songs — and throw shade on former President Donald Trump in the process.
www.washingtonexaminer.comMissing Chinese exchange student found safe in Utah following cyber kidnapping scheme, police say
A foreign exchange student from China who was reported missing last week in Utah has been found. Authorities said the student and his family appear to be victims of a “cyber kidnapping” scheme.
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These jobs saw the biggest pay hikes across the U.S. in 2023
Workers in some jobs, including many who are self-employed, enjoyed double-digit wage gains last year. Here's who got the biggest pay bumps.
www.cbsnews.com
A war travelogue: Two Florida photographers recount harrowing trip to document the Ukraine war
Florida photographers Allan Mestel and David Graham went to the front lines to document impacts of the war and Russian invasion for Spotlight Ukraine.
www.usatoday.com
Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary to become first Australian-born Queen | CNN
The fairy tale rise of an Australian sales executive to the upper ranks of European royalty is set to be completed later this month when Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth of Denmark becomes the country’s Queen Consort.
www.cnn.com
BBC World Service - What in the World, How Vladimir Putin changed everyday life in Russia
The BBC’s Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg takes us through his rise to power
NJ mayor says buses of migrants bound for NY are being dropped off at NJ train stations
A New Jersey mayor says buses of migrants bound for New York City have been stopping at the town’s train station in an apparent effort to evade New York's efforts to regulate migrant arrivals.
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US watching Taiwan elections closely as China reiterates claim to island
Poll outcome will help set the tone for Washington-Beijing relations amid slight easing of tensions.
Bill Clinton to be identified in previously redacted Jeffrey Epstein documents: report
Former President Clinton is going to be identified in previously redacted documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to ABC News.
Missing exchange student found cold and scared after what police call a ‘cyber-kidnapping’ | CNN
Utah police say they found a teenage Chinese exchange student alone and cold in a tent after he was a victim of what they’re calling a “cyber-kidnapping.”
www.cnn.comA driver fleeing New York City police speeds onto a sidewalk and injures 7 pedestrians
A driver fleeing police in Manhattan sped onto a sidewalk and injured seven pedestrians, including a woman who was pinned under a food truck struck by the speeding sedan.
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The quintessentially British fish and chips is endangered. Why?
Supply chain snags are driving up the prices for fish and chips. As many as half of the U.K.’s “chippies” could shut down.
www.nbcnews.com
Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri killed in Beirut attack
Attack hit southern Beirut’s Mashrafiyah neighbourhood, according to Lebanon’s NNA.
Putin vows to 'intensify' attacks against Ukraine military targets
The Russian leader's comments come after days of aerial bombardment by both sides in the conflict.
www.bbc.comThe Empire State rings in the new year with a pay bump for minimum-wage workers
The state’s minimum wage is expected to increase every year until it reaches $17 in New York City and its suburbs, and $16 in the rest of the state by 2026.
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Biden under pressure to pardon Navy lieutenant imprisoned for negligent driving in Japan
President Joe Biden is facing a growing chorus of voices calling on him to pardon U.S. Navy lieutenant Ridge Alkonis, who faced negligent driving charges for a car crash that killed two Japanese nationals while stationed in Japan.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
North Carolina pastor arrested after police say he tried to push wife's coworker into McDonald's deep fryer
Dwayne Waden, whose Facebook profile identifies him as pastor of Elevated Life International Ministries and a semitruck driver, was arrested after the incident at a High Point, North Carolina, McDonald's.
www.cbsnews.com
5 reasons to be optimistic about the 2024 economy | CNN Business
The US economy appears to be enjoying the soft landing many argued was nearly impossible.
www.cnn.comUS seizes more illegal e-cigarettes, but thousands of new ones are launching
U.S. officials are seizing more shipments of unauthorized electronic cigarettes. But industry data shows thousands of new flavored products continue pouring into the country from China.
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Someone could start the new year a millionaire as Powerball jackpot surges to $810 million | CNN Business
The Powerball jackpot has jumped into the New Year, swelling to an estimated $810 million after the final drawing of 2023 yielded no grand prize winners Saturday night.
www.cnn.com
Driver strikes, injures 8 people on sidewalk blocks from Times Square while trying to escape police
A driver going the wrong way on 34th Street struck multiple people, including a police officer, on the sidewalk.
www.cbsnews.com
Two-time Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins dies aged 32 after being hit by car | CNN
Australian Olympic track cyclist and former world champion Melissa Hoskins has died aged 32, her country’s Olympic Committee said on Monday.
www.cnn.com
Japan reports fatalities after series of strong earthquakes
Thousands evacuated from Noto Peninsula and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says he will personally lead national response to disaster.
www.nbcnews.com
Gender-neutral toy aisles are now law in California | CNN
Major retailers in California are now required to have gender-neutral toy aisles under a new state law.
www.cnn.com
Homeless shelter shocked after donated Jordans sell for over $50,000 at auction
An Oregon homeless shelter was blessed after a mysterious auction of rare Air Jordan shoes, which benefited the organization when it sold for over $50,000.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Gaza hospitals facing ‘totally catastrophic’ situation: Health minister
Air raids focus on the Maghazi, Jabalia refugee camps as Israel pulls back thousands of reservists from ground invasion.
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