An early version of Disney’s Mickey Mouse will enter the public domain on January 1 (www.cnn.com)
In just a few short days, an early version of Disney’s most iconic character will join the public domain for the first time....
China’s many systemic problems dominate its outlook for 2024 (www.theguardian.com)
Japan’s example 30 years ago shows islands of excellence can combine with deep structural imbalances...
Maine state official who removed Trump from ballot was targeted in swatting call at her home (apnews.com)
A fake emergency call to police resulted in officers responding Friday night to the home of Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows just a day after she removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause....
Nikki Haley doesn't cite slavery as cause of the Civil War after question at campaign stop (abcnews.go.com)
She responded it was about “basically how the government was going to run."
The Empire State rings in the new year with a pay bump for minimum-wage workers (apnews.com)
New York’s minimum-wage workers had more than just the new year to celebrate Monday, with a pay bump kicking in as the clock ticked over to 2024....
The Biden administration once again bypasses Congress on an emergency weapons sale to Israel (www.pbs.org)
For the second time this month the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as Israel continues to prosecute its war against Hamas in Gaza under increasing international criticism.
Cargo ship carrying burning lithium-ion batteries reaches Alaska, but kept offshore for safety (apnews.com)
A large cargo ship with a fire in its hold is being kept 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) offshore of an Alaska port as a precaution while efforts are undertaken to extinguish the flames, the U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday....
Clarence Thomas must recuse himself from ruling on Trump’s 2024 eligibility, Raskin says (www.theguardian.com)
Supreme court justice Clarence Thomas must recuse himself from ruling on Donald Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 presidential election, a prominent Democrat said Sunday, warning that the leading Republican candidate is seeking to become a “political martyr” as he pursues a second presidency....
Americans are lonely and it’s killing them. How the US can combat this new epidemic. (www.usatoday.com)
America has a new epidemic. It can’t be treated using traditional therapies even though it has debilitating and even deadly consequences....
Asian American officials cite unfair scrutiny and lost jobs in China spy tensions (www.nytimes.com)
When Thomas Wong set foot in the United States Embassy in Beijing this summer for a new diplomatic posting, it was vindication after years of battling the State Department over a perceived intelligence threat — himself....
December migrant surge at Southern border largest in more than two decades as mayors call for action (www.cnn.com)
A new surge of migrants at the US-Mexico border is overwhelming already-stretched resources and prompting urgent talks with Mexican officials as December border crossings reached a record monthly high....
Who Investigates the Sheriff? In Mississippi, Often No One. (mississippitoday.org)
The state ignored or was unaware of allegations of jailhouse rape, brutal beatings and corrupt acts by sheriffs and their deputies, even when there was ample evidence to examine....
Dublin riot live updates: Clashes after earlier knife attack - BBC News (www.bbc.co.uk)
The Irish police chief blames the unrest on a "hooligan faction" which gathered after the earlier incident.
Prosecutors Ask Appeals Court to Reject Trump’s Immunity Claims in Election Case (www.nytimes.com)
Federal prosecutors asked an appeals court on Saturday to reject former President Donald J. Trump’s claims that he is immune from criminal charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and said the indictment should remain in place even though it arose from actions he took while in the White House....
US to bring back aircraft carrier from eastern Mediterranean (abcnews.go.com)
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group will leave the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where it was sent just after the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October, in the “coming days,” two U.S. officials tell ABC News....
Colorado mother suspected of killing her 2 children and wounding a third arrested in United Kingdom (apnews.com)
A Colorado mother suspected of killing two of her young children and injuring a third was arrested Saturday in the United Kingdom, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department....
Sources say 8-9 died at RRMC from drug diversion (kobi5.com)
MEDFORD, Ore. – Sources say several Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center patients are dead and police are now conducting a criminal investigation....
US homicide rates drop at record pace in 2023 (www.independent.co.uk)
Despite feelings of crime increasing, data from cities across the US indicate murder rates fell at record pace this year...
Israel says war in Gaza expected to continue throughout 2024 (www.bbc.com)
In a new year’s message, Israel Defence Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said troop deployments were being adjusted to prepare for “prolonged fighting”....
Nasa mission lines up to 'touch the Sun' (www.bbc.com)
It promises to be a remarkable moment in the history of space exploration....
China to simplify visa applications for US tourists as both countries seek to improve relations (www.scmp.com)
China will simplify the visa application process for tourists from the United States as part of its efforts to step up interactions between people from the two countries....
The 'wealth transfer' from boomers won't save Gen X and millennials (www.nbcnews.com)
Experts say baby boomers will give more than $50 trillion to their heirs. But for many, health care costs will claim the bulk of that wealth....
Diversity offices on college campuses will soon be illegal in Texas, as 30 new laws go into effect (www.texastribune.org)
When Texas college students return to their campuses after the winter break, they’ll discover the lights are still off in their campuses’ diversity offices....
122 fishermen rescued after getting stranded on Minnesota ice floe, officials say (www.cbsnews.com)
Zelenskiy says Ukraine has become stronger as war moves closer to second year (www.theguardian.com)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has vowed in his New Year’s address to unleash “wrath” against Russian forces in 2024, saying Ukraine had become stronger as the war moves toward its second year....
