8 Jan 2025

Deadly earthquake hits Tibet, tremors felt in Nepal, India
More than 120 people have been killed after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck in the Himalayas on Tuesday morning, while almost 200 more were injured in the natural disaster. Local Chinese media reported at least 126 fatalities in and around the city of Shigatse in Tibet, while tremors were felt in neighboring Nepal and India. “A reporter learned from the Tibet Autonomous Region earthquake bureau that people have been killed,” the Xinhua state news agency said, listing the Changsuo, Quluo and Cuoguo townships in Dingri County. “A total of 95 people have been confirmed dead and 130 others injured,” the agency added later.

Hezbollah Official Claims Group ‘Forced’ Israel Into Ceasefire
Wafiq Safa, a key Hezbollah operative and brother-in-law of the group’s former leader Hassan Nasrallah, spoke from the site of an Israeli strike, dismissing the notion that Hezbollah had been weakened. “Hezbollah was not defeated, and Hezbollah will not be defeated,” Safa declared, adding that the group’s resolve is stronger than iron.

US Congress Launches Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus
“This is a historic milestone. The new caucus will strengthen the connection between Americans and Judea and Samaria and will lead to a better understanding of the importance of Judea and Samaria not only for Israel’s interests but also for American interests in the region,” said Yossi Dagan. “In America, there are so many cities named after biblical towns in Judea and Samaria – Hebron, Bethel, Salem, Shilo, Bethlehem and more, which reflect the deep connection that already exists between America and the biblical heartland.”

As ceasefire’s end approaches, Israeli officials doubt Lebanon’s long-term stability
As the end of a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon approaches, Israeli officials are voicing skepticism about Beirut’s ability to enforce the agreement over the long term.

Will Turkey become as great a nuclear threat as Iran? – analysis
While the world focuses on a possible Iranian nuclear breakout, a stealth nuclear threat looms.  Turkey’s Russia-built nuclear plant will become operational this year. The notion that it is proliferation-proof rests on the assurance of Ankara and Moscow.

Iran executed over 900 people in 2024, including dozens of women, says UN
One of the women executed for murder had killed her husband to prevent him from raping her daughter, stated UN rights office spokesperson Liz Throssell.

Large sign in Tel Aviv displays Trump’s threat to Hamas: ‘Release hostages now’
the Hostages’ Families (Tikva) Forum, are calling on the government to strive for a complete victory and the return of all the hostages under the slogan “It’s time for victory.” On Tuesday, the organizations put up a huge billboard near the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, displaying Trump’s threat to Hamas and the residents of Gaza: “All of them until 20/1, or the fire of hell will open.”

Biden admin: If Lebanese Army deployment persists, no reason for IDF to stay in Lebanon
US special envoy Amos Hochstein concluded a two-day visit to Lebanon on Tuesday. He met with senior Lebanese officials, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Berri has been the figure conducting the ceasefire talks as a representative for Hezbollah.

IAF eliminates Gaza terrorists who took part in Oct. 7 massacre
An Israel Air Force aircraft eliminated terrorists who took part in the October 7 massacre during strikes in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, the military and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said on Tuesday. The strikes were carried out under the guidance of intelligence information provided by the Intelligence Directorate, the Shin Bet, and the Southern Command.

A New Book Shows the Path Forward for the US-Israel Alliance
The objective of Israel’s enemies is not just the elimination of the Jewish state, but also Western civilization, The Battle for the Jewish State serves as a reminder of why a strong US-Israel alliance is not only critically important to both countries’ national security interests, but also stability in the region more generally.

Hamas Stands by Demand for End to Gaza War Under Hostage Deal, as Trump Deadline Approaches
Hamas stood by its demand on Tuesday that Israel fully end its military campaign in Gaza under any deal to release hostages, and said US President-elect Donald Trump was rash to say there would be “hell to pay” unless they go free by his Jan. 20 inauguration.

Jerusalem court OKs seizure of $5.5 million in PA funds by relatives of Huwara attack victims
The Jerusalem District Court recently approved the seizure of 20 million shekels ($5.5 million) in Palestinian Authority funds by the relatives of slain brothers Hallel and Yagel Yaniv, who were murdered by an Arab terrorist in Samaria almost two years ago “The move to seize the P.A.’s funds is the beginning of doing justice to us as a family, as well as to the victims of terrorism,” said Shalom Yaniv.

Israel prepares for Trump’s return and for a joint attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities
The deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, landed in Israel last week for a visit and met with the deputy chief of staff, Major General Amir Baram. The parties discussed shipments of critical weapons that the outgoing Biden administration has delayed and improving readiness for a possible joint attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Ford’s Partner in Billion-Dollar Michigan EV Factory Is a Chinese Military Company, Pentagon Says
The Department of Defense added Chinese electric vehicle battery maker CATL—which Ford Motor Company has partnered with on a billion-dollar EV project in Michigan—to a list of companies that actively aid China’s military. The Pentagon published documents Tuesday designating CATL and 133 other companies to its Section 1260H list of Chinese military companies, which the Department of Defense is required to update on an annual basis. CATL’s inclusion on the list is another black eye for both Ford’s struggling EV business and Democrats’ climate ambitions

EU Commission Threatens Musk Ahead Of Interview With Conservative Leader
The European Commission will check whether the X platform promotes an interview between its owner, American entrepreneur and billionaire Elon Musk, and the leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) Alice Weidel, The interview is taking place ahead of Germany’s snap parliamentary elections, enraging the political establishment. “The foundation of the DSA is freedom of speech. Mr. Musk has the right to express his private views and political opinions about the EU both online and offline,”

Jay Bhattacharya Will Bring Much-Needed Transparency To NIH
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya – the Stanford professor who is President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the directorship of the National Institutes of Health – will bring transparency to this government agency, which sorely needs it. The stakes could not be higher: COVID killed 15 million people worldwide in 2020 and hasn’t stopped killing,

The End Of Economic Growth: Energy Shortages Drive Global Downturn
The global economy is expected to enter a recession in 2025 due to a decline in the availability of crude oil, coal, and uranium relative to population. Government attempts to stimulate the economy through debt will lead to inflation rather than growth, as energy supplies are constrained.

‘Life-threatening,’ ‘destructive’ windstorm warning issued in Calif.
The National Weather Service has issued a warning regarding a “life-threatening” and “destructive” windstorm in California’s Los Angeles and Ventura Counties this week. In a Monday post on X, formerly Twitter, the National Weather Service Los Angeles said, “HEADS UP!!! A LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE, Widespread Windstorm is expected [Tuesday] afternoon-[Wednesday] morning across much of Ventura/LA Co. Areas not typically windy will be impacted… Stay indoors, away from windows, expect poweroutages.”

Powerful M7 earthquake hits western Xizang, leaving over 90 fatalities, China
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.1 hit western Xizang, China at 01:05 UTC (09:05 LT) on January 7, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.0 at a depth of 10 km. China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) is reporting M6.8 and a depth of 10 km.

At least 6 dead, more than 300,000 without power as major winter storm sweeps through U.S. 
At least 6 people have been reported dead after a record-breaking winter storm swept through much of the United States from January 3 – 6, 2025, bringing record snow and causing severe travel disruptions with over 9,000 flights being delayed or canceled and hundreds of crashes reported across multiple states.

Flash floods leave over 1,000 displaced in Windhoek Namibia
Heavy rainfall resulted in flash floods that swept away vehicles and inundated homes in Windhoek, Namibia, on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Over 1,000 residents were affected but no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

‘Evacuate Now’: Fire Tears Through Upscale Pacific Palisades In Los Angeles
A brush fire that has spread to over 1,200 acres in Los Angeles amid a massive wind storm has prompted a mass evacuation in the upscale Pacific Palisades area on Tuesday.

China’s Uptick In Respiratory Illness Sparks Concerns From Neighbors
A recent surge in respiratory infections in China has drawn attention from neighboring countries and regions, with the Chinese public expressing concerns about the severity of the new outbreak amid ongoing distrust of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) health reporting post-COVID.

Islamophobia vs. Freedomophobia: The Battle for Free Speech
More than ten years ago, Brother Rashid, a former Muslim turned outspoken critic of Islamic ideology, released a video that carried a bold warning to the West. In this video, he detailed how Islam silences dissenters in the East through persecution, imprisonment, and execution while weaponizing the term “Islamophobia” to stifle criticism in the West.

Keir Starmer’s ‘Islamophobia’ Definition: Direct Attack on Free Speech and Justice
Peter Whittle warns that Labour’s Islamophobia definition will weaponize censorship, reimpose blasphemy laws, and crush free speech, threatening the very survival of British democracy.

Report Reveals How Ruthlessly The Biden Administration Persecuted Christian Education
While Americans were focused on the weaponization of federal law enforcement and the justice system, the Biden administration was also quietly but ruthlessly weaponizing the U.S. Department of Education against Christian institutions as well. Those are the findings of a shocking new report by the pro-family group American Principles Project.

The Truth About America’s Crumbling Infrastructure
Congress passed a bill that gave the Biden administration more than $100,000,000,000 to spend on fixing our infrastructure. Honestly, I have no idea what they did with all that money. In 2021, the official White House website was reporting that 45,000 bridges and 20 percent of our roads were in poor condition.

US Eases Restrictions For Syria In ‘Signal Of Goodwill’ To New Islamist Rulers
The US is planning to announce an easing of restrictions on providing humanitarian aid and other basic services such as electricity to Syria while still keeping crushing economic sanctions on the country in place, Reuters reported on Monday.

Germany’s Gun Grab? Saxony-Anhalt Begins Disarming AfD Members
Authorities in Germany have begun withdrawing gun ownership licenses from Alternative for Germany (AfD) members, who are deemed a “danger to public safety.”