Greenland is of interest to the United States
President Donald Trump has shown interest in acquiring Greenland, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Geographically, Greenland is situated in between Russia and the United States. According to Geopolitical Monitor, Greenland is part of the Greenland, Iceland and United Kingdom Gap (GIUK Gap), a maritime chokepoint.
According to CNN, such an acquisition “is a national security priority of the United States,” Leavitt said.
Different methods of acquiring Greenland, such as purchasing the island or using military force to acquire it, have been discussed.
“The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal,” Leavitt said in a statement to Fox News.
As a result of an agreement made during the Cold War, the United States already has a military presence in Greenland.
According to the New York Times, “Greenland does not want to be bought by anyone — especially not the United States.
Venezuelan President captured by Trump Adminsitration
On Saturday Jan. 3, The Trump Administration captured Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro as well as his wife, Cilia Flores and flew them on a U.S. warship to New York City. Maduro was set to face criminal charges related to illegal activity and drug trafficking. Flores was charged as well.
According to NPR, “Maduro is facing charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy and weapons charges.” On Monday, Jan. 5 he pleaded “not guilty” in federal court.
On Monday, Jan. 5, both pleaded “not guilty” in federal court. According to Fox 5, “Both Maduro and Flores agreed to remain detained for now. Their attorneys could revisit a bail application at a later date. Maduro’s next court date is set for March 17.”
Trump withdrawals from UN organizations
On Wednesday, Jan 7 U.S President Donald Trump withdrew from 66 UN and non-UN organizations.
On Wednesday, Jan. 7, U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from 66 UN and non-UN organizations. The Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was necessary because the programs were “often dominated by progressive ideology and detached from national interests,” according to AP.
The order targets 31 United Nations entities and 35 other international organizations, including the foundation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which U.S. officials claimed were “contrary to the interests of the United States,” Deutsche Welle reported from DW news.
This decision brought immediate criticism from UN climate chief Simon Stiell, who told US publication “The Guardian”, the retreat was a “colossal own goal” which would leave the country “less secure and less prosperous.” While the administration argued the agencies focused on “woke” social and climate policies.
A new chapter begins: Mamdani takes the oath
On Friday, Jan. 2, New York City Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the city’s 112 mayor after winning the mayoral election in November. Mamdani stood in front of the city hall and swore in “a new era” for city residents.
According to The Hill, “In one of Mamdani’s first moves as mayor, he issued an order to undo directives signed by former Mayor Eric Adams since September 2024, when Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption charges.”
Some important people at Mamdani’s inauguration include Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and Governor Kathy Hochul of New York. According to The Hill, “Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) gave the opening remarks, in which she called the ceremony ‘an inauguration for each one of us’ and lauded New Yorkers for choosing ‘historic, ambitious leadership.”
No spark, just speculation
In Brooklyn, New York, on New Year’s Eve, thousands of people were ‘tricked by AI.’ AI-generated videos were uploaded on social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram, spreading the false news of there being a firework show in the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
According to posts online, many New-Yorkers were “confused” and “super duper disappointed,” said a TikToker named Dhruvsaha when they realized there would be no fireworks.
Thousands were standing outside in below-freezing temperatures for a show that wasn’t happening due to content creators spreading misleading information and pranksters.
According to USA TODAY, “While visitors were disappointed, the crowd remained orderly and dispersed without incident.” Brooklyn Bridge Park officials said.
Minneapolis woman fatally shot by ICE Agent
On Wednesday Jan. 7, a woman named Renee Nicole Good was shot in Minneapolis, Minnesota by an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Federal officials said that Good had tried to run over the ICE agent with her car, however the city mayor said that the ICE agent acted recklessly, according to BBC.
The shooting came after hundreds of ICE agents were sent to Minneapolis to crack down on illegal immigration. A variety of videos were posted online, capturing the crime.
According to BBC, President Trump said the ICE agent was “viciously run over.”
Controversy rises as the Mayor of Minneapolis has a different opinion on the matter.
“[ICE agents] ripping families apart, they’re sowing chaos in our streets,” said Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis, according to BBC.
Georgia moves to cut income tax
On Wednesday Jan. 7, Georgia officially became the newest state to make a bid by the Georgia Senate committee to remove the personal income tax by 2032. Without this tax income many organizations like churches and religious organizations, qualifying nonprofit hospitals, nursing homes and hospices, nonprofit private schools including colleges and nonprofit organizations may be in danger as this tax is a major revenue source that funds transportation, health and education.
According to Americans for Prosperity, “People advocate cutting state income tax believing it restores economies by leaving more money with workers and businesses for spending/investment, boosts small business growth, attracts residents and companies, and combats inflation by increasing purchasing power, with the goal of fostering jobs, innovation and overall prosperity, though some critics argue it shifts tax burden, harms public services like education, and disproportionately benefits the wealthy.”
Monks “Walk for Peace” in Peachtree City
On Monday, Dec. 29 Buddhist monks walked through Peachtree City in their 2,300 mile “Walk for Peace” pilgrimage from Texas to D.C. Citizens of Peachtree City and neighboring cities gathered to watch the group of monks led by Venerable, a title given to highly respected monks, Bhikkhu Paññākāra.
“We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole” the official facebook page of Walk for Peace said.
Thousands of individuals have come to join the monks on their long walk across the southern state. Additionally, individuals donate clothing, food and shelter to the monks.
“In Peachtree City, over a hundred people came out to City Hall. Mayor Kim Learnard and State Rep. Josh Bonner greeted the monks and presented them with a commemorative pin and coin,” according to The Citizen.
Highway 54/74 directional signage begins construction
Recently, there has been a council-approved directional highway signage for the 54/74 intersection, meaning that a sign to point drivers in the direction of each city will be built at the intersection. Construction for these signs has begun, and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has helped make this happen.
According to the Peachtree City Government’s Facebook page, this project is meant to “enhance wayfinding at the soon-to-be-renovated intersection.”
As the word spread, there has been some confusion, causing some people to believe that this project is a bridge that will go over the intersection.
However, in the same post the Peachtree City Government stated that “this is not a bridge.”
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