Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed they shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone amid ongoing U.S. airstrikes targeting them. The incident occurred in Marib, with strikes also hitting Sanaa and Saada. President Trump warned the Houthis and Iran, stating the group has been heavily impacted by strikes since March 15. He emphasized continued attacks until threats to navigation cease, urging the Houthis to stop targeting U.S. ships or face intensified military action. Ava Sinclair 01/04/2025 11:30 am
In Nablus, West Bank, the Touqan soap factory, established in 1872, continues its 150-year tradition of making olive oil soap. Each morning, workers light a furnace to heat a vat of olive oil, water, and lye. Musa Assakhal, whose family has worked there for generations, oversees the process. The tradition, now recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a source of pride for the city, with many families also making soap at home. Penelope Kingsley 01/04/2025 11:30 am
Andrei Kotov, a travel agency owner, was targeted by Russian police for offering tours allegedly aimed at gay men, violating new anti-gay laws. Officers raided his home, assaulted him, and pressured him to confess to running a gay-focused agency, which he denied. Weeks later, Kotov was found dead in his prison cell, with officials claiming he committed suicide. His death highlights Russia’s intensified crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights. Noah Prescott 01/04/2025 11:30 am
The Trump administration’s travel ban for 43 countries is delayed as the State Department works on a report detailing the rules. An executive order from January 20 mandates intensified security vetting for foreigners. A March memo categorized nations, with specific sanctions for Russia’s allies. The report, initially due March 21, lacks a new deadline. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce confirmed ongoing efforts to meet the executive order’s requirements, emphasizing the focus on security and vetting standards for U.S. entry. Penelope Kingsley 01/04/2025 8:00 am
The Chinese military has initiated joint exercises involving its army, navy, air force, and rocket force to encircle Taiwan, focusing on sea-air combat readiness and blockade strategies. These drills serve as a warning against Taiwan’s independence efforts and aim to assert China’s sovereignty claims. China has increased military activities around Taiwan, viewing its leader, Lai Ching-te, as a separatist. Tensions have risen with incidents like Taiwan’s detention of a Chinese cargo ship crew and deportation of a pro-Beijing influencer. The US supports Taiwan’s defense but maintains strategic ambiguity on direct intervention. Ava Sinclair 01/04/2025 8:00 am
An Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs killed at least three people and wounded seven, challenging a fragile four-month ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The IDF claimed the strike targeted a Hezbollah terrorist linked to Hamas. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack, urging diplomatic efforts to uphold Lebanon’s sovereignty. The strike damaged a building, with no evacuation warning issued beforehand. The ceasefire, brokered to end a year-long conflict, is increasingly unstable, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Ava Sinclair 01/04/2025 8:00 am
An anti-corruption watchdog flagged irregularities in a Bangkok skyscraper’s construction before it collapsed in an earthquake, killing at least 12. Initial tests showed substandard steel, and further analysis is needed. Rescuers search for 75 trapped people. The government investigates the collapse, the only one in Bangkok after a 7.7 magnitude quake in Myanmar. The project faced delays and potential corner-cutting, with construction only 30% complete. The audit office and construction firms have not commented. Penelope Kingsley 01/04/2025 4:30 am
Immigrant-rights advocates criticize the U.S. government’s use of a checklist with “unreliable indicators” to identify Venezuelan men as members of the Tren de Aragua gang, leading to their removal under the Alien Enemies Act. The ACLU challenges this in court, highlighting cases where tattoos, like a soccer ball tattoo, were used as evidence. The checklist, revealed in court filings, includes categories like tattoos and criminal conduct. The ACLU argues for the right to contest gang designations, while the White House defends the criteria used for deportation decisions. Penelope Kingsley 01/04/2025 1:00 am
The Israeli military has issued a major evacuation order for southern Gaza, targeting Rafah and parts of Khan Younis, as it resumes operations against Hamas. This affects about 20% of Gaza, with many Palestinians fleeing again after a recent ceasefire. The UN criticized the evacuations for not meeting international law standards. Israel claims the evacuations protect civilians from Hamas, accused of using them as human shields. The renewed conflict has resulted in over 1,000 deaths and severe shortages of food and medical supplies due to blocked aid deliveries. Penelope Kingsley 01/04/2025 1:00 am
A French court barred Marine Le Pen from public office for five years due to embezzlement, jeopardizing her 2027 presidential bid. Although she can appeal, her ineligibility remains, impacting French politics significantly. Her supporters, including Jordan Bardella and Viktor Orbán, criticized the ruling, while some opponents expressed concern over its democratic implications. The decision is a major setback for Le Pen’s party, and only a successful appeal could revive her presidential hopes. Ava Sinclair 01/04/2025 1:00 am
