Roger Golubski, a former Kansas City detective accused of kidnapping and raping two women decades ago, was found dead from an apparent suicide on Monday, just as his federal trial was set to begin. EKO HOT BLOG reports that Golubski, a veteran police detective, had been under home confinement since his arrest in 2022 on charges … Read more
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated businessman Warren Stephens to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement on Truth Social, Trump expressed enthusiasm, saying, “Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as … Read more
Israel launched strikes on targets in Lebanon on Monday evening, fulfilling its vow to retaliate for an earlier Hezbollah attack on an Israeli military post. Both sides accused the other of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered just last week. EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to Lebanon’s public health ministry, Israeli strikes on two southern villages … Read more
A man linked to one of Australia’s most infamous cold cases, the Easey Street murders, is being extradited from Italy to face questioning. EKO HOT BLOG reports that Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, were brutally stabbed to death in their Melbourne home in 1977, a crime that has gripped the nation for decades. The … Read more
A Delaware court has rejected Elon Musk’s massive pay package for serving as Tesla’s CEO, despite it being approved by Tesla shareholders earlier this year. The package, valued at about $101 billion based on Tesla’s current stock price, includes 303 million stock options. Court Ruling and Shareholder Challenge Delaware Chancery Court, Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick first … Read more
Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, who was sentenced to death for supporting anti-government protests, has been released after spending two years in prison. Salehi, 34, was arrested in October 2022 for publicly backing protests that erupted across Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in police custody for allegedly wearing … Read more
The United Nations’ top court will begin historic hearings on Monday to establish legal guidelines for how countries should safeguard the planet from climate change and assist vulnerable nations in dealing with its destructive effects. Representatives from Vanuatu and other low-lying island nations in the Pacific Ocean will open the marathon proceedings at the International … Read more
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis—the automotive giant behind brands like Chrysler, Vauxhall, Jeep, Fiat, and Peugeot—has stepped down with immediate effect. His sudden departure comes just two months after Stellantis issued a profit warning, highlighting challenges within the company. The announcement follows last week’s controversial decision to shut down the Vauxhall van manufacturing plant in … Read more
President Joe Biden has granted an official pardon to his son Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing in two criminal cases. The decision marks a reversal from Biden’s previous stance against clemency for his son. In a statement, the president defended his actions, stating that Hunter had been “singled out” and describing the cases as … Read more
President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to impose 100% tariffs on countries in the BRICS alliance—comprising China, Russia, and other emerging economies—unless they pledge not to create a new currency during his administration. “The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar while we stand by and watch is OVER. We … Read more
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday his selection of Charles Kushner as ambassador to France, marking a notable appointment in his administration. Charles Kushner, a real estate developer and the father of Jared Kushner—husband of Ivanka Trump—was pardoned by Trump during his first term, clearing a federal conviction from 2020. EDITOR’S PICKS Electricity Meter Costs … Read more
Syrian government forces have withdrawn from Aleppo following a major rebel offensive, marking a significant escalation in the country’s civil war. The army admitted that rebels now control “large parts” of Syria’s second-largest city and pledged a counteroffensive. The ongoing clashes, which began Wednesday, have already claimed over 300 lives, including at least 20 civilians, … Read more
Georgia’s pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili has vowed to remain in office until new parliamentary elections are held, as mass protests erupt over the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks. Speaking to the BBC, Zourabichvili, who has aligned herself with the opposition, called the current parliament “illegitimate,” citing allegations of fraud in last month’s elections. … Read more
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has named Kash Patel, a former Defence Department chief of staff and loyal supporter, as his pick to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Patel has frequently criticized the agency, aligning with Trump’s skepticism of federal institutions. For Patel to assume the role, current FBI Director Christopher Wray would need … Read more
Five people were reportedly killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza on Saturday, including individuals associated with the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen (WCK). The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the strike targeted a person allegedly involved in the 7 October attacks on Israel. According to the Palestinian state-run news agency Wafa, the strike … Read more
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has travelled to Florida to meet with Donald Trump as Canada seeks to counter the president-elect’s proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods. Canadian media reported that Trudeau arrived at Palm Beach International Airport on Friday evening for a visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The trip was not listed on Trudeau’s official … Read more
The Israeli military has warned residents of 60 villages in southern Lebanon not to return, even as a ceasefire enters its third day following over a year of intense fighting with Hezbollah, the Shia armed group. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) released a map delineating a buffer zone several miles deep, cautioning that anyone entering … Read more
Australia has issued a warning to travellers about consuming certain alcoholic beverages in Laos following a series of deaths suspected to be caused by methanol poisoning. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advised against drinking Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky, citing “serious safety concerns.” According to DFAT’s travel advisory on Friday, Laotian authorities … Read more
President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed bringing the areas of Ukraine under Kyiv’s control “under the NATO umbrella” as a means of halting the ongoing “hot phase” of the war. In an extensive interview with Sky News, Zelensky was asked whether he would accept NATO membership limited to the territories currently under Ukrainian control. While he … Read more
The world will get its first glimpse of the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral on Friday as French President Emmanuel Macron leads a televised tour celebrating the iconic landmark’s imminent re-opening. Five-and-a-half years after the catastrophic fire of April 2019, the Gothic masterpiece in Paris has undergone a €700m (£582m) renovation, transforming its interior and preserving its … Read more