Author: Aurora Lane
Sanctions disrupt shipments but near-term supply remains ample The seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker by the United States last week is expected to have only a limited short-term impact on China’s crude market, according to traders and analysts. Large volumes of Venezuelan oil were already en route to China before the move, while weak demand and rising inventories are helping absorb the shock. Exports from Venezuela have dropped sharply following the seizure and the imposition of new U.S. sanctions on shipping firms and vessels involved in transporting its crude. The risk of further seizures has discouraged new shipments, but…
Tourism authorities say most destinations remain open As fighting intensifies along the Thailand–Cambodia border, both governments insist that tourism continues largely as normal away from conflict zones. Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) said nationwide travel remains unaffected, particularly in major destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. However, increased security measures are in place in seven eastern and northeastern provinces. Martial law has been imposed in Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo and Trat, and travelers may encounter suspended train services, adjusted bus routes and checkpoint closures near the border. Official advice urges caution near border areas TAT advised visitors to avoid restricted…
Character actor known for iconic villain roles Actor Peter Greene, best known for portraying memorable villains in films such as Pulp Fiction and The Mask, has died at the age of 60. Greene was found dead in his New York City apartment on Friday, according to his manager and longtime friend Gregg Edwards. No cause of death has been released. NPR confirmed the news through Edwards, who described Greene as one of the most talented character actors of his generation. Breakout performances in the 1990s Greene became widely recognized in 1994 with two contrasting but equally striking performances. He played…
A costly Sunday as the postseason nears With just three weeks remaining in the NFL regular season and the playoffs approaching fast, Sunday’s Week 15 slate delivered a wave of injuries that could dramatically reshape the playoff picture. Several star players went down with serious issues, and the consequences are already being felt across multiple contenders. Patrick Mahomes suffers season-ending injury Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL late in a 16–13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes was injured while leading a potential game-winning drive with under two minutes remaining. His backup, Gardner Minshew, later…
What’s new in iOS 26.2 After several weeks in beta, Apple has officially released iOS 26.2 for all iPhone users. The update introduces improvements across Apple Music, Podcasts, Reminders, Apple News, CarPlay, and the system-wide Liquid Glass design, along with several security and accessibility enhancements. Reminders gains urgent alarms iOS 26.2 adds a long requested “Urgent” option to the Reminders app. When enabled, this setting automatically triggers an alarm at the reminder’s due time. It also supports snooze options and Live Activities, making it easier to stay on top of critical tasks. Apple Music adds offline lyrics Apple Music now…
Possible black box label marks major policy shift The US Food and Drug Administration is considering adding its strongest safety warning, known as a black box warning, to Covid vaccines, according to reports first published on Friday. If implemented, the move would represent a significant shift in federal vaccine oversight and could further affect public confidence in the shots, whose uptake has already been declining. The plan, which has not been finalized or officially confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services, is reportedly being driven by Dr. Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s chief medical and scientific officer and head…
Detention during memorial in Mashhad sparks concern Iranian security forces have arrested Nobel peace prize laureate Narges Mohammadi during a memorial ceremony in the eastern city of Mashhad, raising fresh concerns about her health and safety. Mohammadi, 53, was detained alongside several other human rights activists while attending a gathering for Khosro Alikordi, a lawyer and rights defender who was found dead in his office last week. Mohammadi had been temporarily released from prison in December 2024 on medical grounds. Her brother Mehdi, who attended the ceremony, confirmed her arrest, according to her foundation. There was no immediate clarification from…
A case at the center of a national immigration fight A federal court in Maryland has ordered the release of Kilmar Ábrego García from ICE custody, marking the latest development in a legal battle that has become a symbol of the broader conflict over President Donald Trump’s immigration and deportation agenda. Ábrego, a Salvadorian national and former construction worker living in Maryland, will now receive guidance on his release conditions in a separate criminal case pending in Tennessee. The Trump administration has repeatedly described Ábrego as a gang member, particularly linking him to MS-13, despite the absence of any criminal…
A winter wonderland in the Ore Mountains Seiffen, known locally as Spielzeugdorf (The Toy Village), feels like stepping into a real life Christmas storybook. The streets glow with fairy lights, candlelit shop windows display thousands of handmade wooden figurines, train sets and nutcrackers, and towering wooden pyramids line the lanes. For centuries, craftspeople here have carved and turned wood into iconic Christmas toys sent around the world. Located near the Czech border in the Ore Mountains and about 90 minutes south of Dresden, Seiffen remains largely unknown to English speaking travelers. Public transport access is limited, so many visitors arrive…
Major investment and new licensing deal The Walt Disney Co. announced a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI on Thursday, marking one of the entertainment giant’s most significant moves into generative AI to date. As part of a new three year licensing agreement, Disney will allow OpenAI’s Sora app to use more than 200 copyrighted characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars beginning next year. Sora, launched in September, lets users create short videos through simple text prompts and quickly rose to the top of Apple’s App Store. Disney CEO Bob Iger said the partnership aims to expand storytelling…