Category: World

Big companies like banks and tech giants are giving money to help Donald Trump with his inauguration as he prepares for another term as president. They want to build a good relationship with him so they can get benefits for their businesses.

Here are some of the companies donating to Trump’s inauguration:

– ROBINHOOD MARKETS: This popular trading app donated $2 million.
– UBER TECHNOLOGIES: Uber and its CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, donated $1 million each.
– AMAZON.COM: Amazon is giving $1 million and will also show the inauguration event on Prime Video.
– META PLATFORMS: This company, which owns Facebook, donated $1 million.
– OPENAI: CEO Sam Altman plans to donate $1 million personally, saying he supports Trump’s plans for AI.
– BANK OF AMERICA AND GOLDMAN SACHS: These big banks are also planning to donate, but they haven’t decided how much yet.

Companies are eager to stay on good terms with Trump as he starts his second term in January.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is asking the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to support her government’s plan to send some migrants to Albania. This plan is important to her, but Italian courts have blocked it because they believe it goes against European laws.

Speaking to the parliament before an important meeting of EU leaders, Meloni said we need clear rules about this issue because recent court decisions seem to have a political bias. If the ECJ agrees with these decisions, she warned, it could harm how all EU countries handle migrant returns until new asylum rules are in place by 2026.

Her plan focuses on adult men from certain countries that Italy considers “safe.” These men could be sent to detention in Albania and quickly deported if their requests for asylum (a safe place to stay) are denied. Other European countries are also interested in this approach to reduce illegal migration.

However, Italian judges have raised concerns. They cited a recent ECJ decision stating that no country can be labeled “safe” if even a small part of it is dangerous. A further ECJ ruling is expected to clarify the situation, but it won’t come soon. Meanwhile, Italy has stopped sending migrants to Albania, leaving detention centers empty.

Despite this, Meloni remains hopeful that her plan will succeed, even though some critics argue it has been a waste of money.

In a big political surprise, Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, stepped down from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet on Monday. She mentioned that she could no longer agree with the government’s plan for handling U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threats of new tariffs. Her resignation has caused more chaos within Trudeau’s Liberal Party, as almost 60 out of 153 MPs are asking for new leadership.

Freeland is the first important Cabinet member to quit, raising questions about Trudeau’s control. She turned down Trudeau’s offer to move her to a different position, stating, “I feel the only honest choice is to resign.”

Party Struggles and Opposition Calls for Change

The Liberal Party is deeply divided now, with about one-third of its MPs wanting Trudeau to resign. Jagmeet Singh, who leads the New Democratic Party (NDP) that has been supporting Trudeau, also asked him to step down. The Conservative Party, the main opposition, hasn’t directly called for Trudeau to resign but is eager for an election.

Trudeau wants to lead the Liberals in the next election, but many party members doubt his chances of winning again. An election must happen before October, but if the NDP withdraws support, an election could be called sooner.

Freeland’s Concerns About Tariffs

In her resignation letter, Freeland pointed to big disagreements with Trudeau’s plans, especially over how to deal with Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. She warned that Canada was facing a serious threat and stressed the need to prepare for possible economic troubles. Freeland criticized government plans like tax holidays and cash rebates, saying they were too expensive.

What’s Next for Trudeau and His Party?

Trudeau has named Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc as Freeland’s replacement. LeBlanc will focus on addressing rising living costs and building a positive relationship with the new U.S. government. Trudeau admitted it’s a tough time for him and his party.

The Liberal Party is still divided. MP Chad Collins noted, “Many of our members want a leader change, including me.” Analysts have called Freeland’s resignation a “political earthquake” that could shake Trudeau’s minority government.

Trudeau’s Leadership Under Threat

Trudeau, who became Prime Minister in 2015 with promises of progressive change, is now struggling with lower public support due to rising costs and immigration issues. His successes, like legalizing cannabis and introducing a carbon tax, are being overshadowed by growing economic problems.

Freeland’s resignation marks a significant moment for the future of Trudeau’s leadership, leading to talk about possible new leaders, including former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney.

More than 44,600 Christmas light controllers sold at stores like Cracker Barrel, Target, and Walmart are being recalled because they can cause fires. The warning comes from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Mr Christmas LLC.

These light controllers, made by Mr Christmas LLC in Memphis, Tennessee, have wireless receivers that can overheat when plugged in, creating a fire hazard. The company reported at least ten cases of overheating, with one resulting in a fire. Luckily, no injuries have been reported.

Mr Christmas is recalling these light controllers for safety and is asking customers to stop using them. If you return your controller, which costs between $25 and $40, you will get a full refund.

The controllers sold at Cracker Barrel and Walmart are called “Christmas Light Controller.” At Target, they are sold under the brand name “Tree Lighting Switch.”

If you bought one of these products, please stop using it and go to the Mr Christmas website or the CPSC website for details on how to return it.

Leslie Hermanson, the President of Mr. Christmas, said, “As a 91-year-old family business, nothing is more important than the safety of families. If you bought one of these products this season, we urge you to return it.”

Remember, controllers made before 2024 are not part of this recall.

On Monday morning, there was a very sad and scary shooting at a private Christian school called Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. It happened around 11 a.m. Many people were hurt, and sadly, five people lost their lives, including the shooter, who was a student at the school.

When police arrived, they found several people who had been shot. The police said that the shooter was a minor and confirmed that the danger was over. They also mentioned that no police officers fired their guns during the incident.

Casualties and Injuries

Seven other people were taken to hospitals. Their injuries varied from minor to serious. Right now, it’s not clear if the people who died or who were hurt were students, teachers, or other staff members.

Community Impact

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes expressed deep sadness for the families and the entire school community. He acknowledged the emotional pain caused by this tragic event. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers also shared his condolences and praised the first responders for their quick actions.

As investigations continue, the police have closed off roads around the school, and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are helping local officers gather information.

During a sad incident, 12 Indian people were found dead in a restaurant in Georgia because of carbon monoxide poisoning. This happened at a popular ski area called Gudauri.

The Indian embassy in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, expressed deep condolences for the families of the victims. They are working with local authorities to gather more information and provide all possible help.

Georgia’s police stated that when they first checked the place, they did not find any signs of injury or violence. They mentioned that while the Indian mission confirmed all victims were Indian, local officials said that 11 were foreign nationals and one was a Georgian citizen.

So what happened? It seems that a generator was placed inside a closed area near the bedrooms of the building. When the electricity went out on Friday night, the owners turned on the oil-powered generator. Unfortunately, the generator produced carbon monoxide, which suffocated everyone inside.

Local police have started an investigation under a law that covers negligent manslaughter. They are also conducting a forensic examination to find out exactly how they died. Georgia’s Interior Ministry has stated that they are actively working on the investigation, gathering information, and interviewing people involved in the case.

Gudauri is well-known for skiing and snowboarding, located high in the Caucasus mountains at about 2,200 meters above sea level.