Brazil, as the current BRICS chair, announces...

Monday, 6 January, 2025

Getty Images announces the acquisition...

Getty Images announces the acquisition of Shutterstock, creating a $3.7 billion visual content powerhouse. The merger aims to address rising competition from AI-generated images by combining complementary portfolios of still imagery, video, music, 3D, and more. Getty CEO Craig Peters, set to lead the combined company, highlights growing demand for visual content. Shutterstock CEO Paul Hennessy emphasizes expanding the creative library and enhancing offerings to meet diverse customer needs, marking a major shift in the visual content industry.

Tuesday, 7 January, 2025

Lithuania increases security around ...

Lithuania increases security around its electricity link with Poland as it prepares to disconnect from a Soviet-era power grid shared with Russia and Belarus next month. Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas says police are guarding the link due to attempts to disrupt the process.
What is decoupling?
Decoupling means disconnecting from the old power grid system controlled by Russia and Belarus. Lithuania, along with other Baltic countries, plans to fully integrate with the European electricity grid, giving them more energy independence and reducing reliance on Russia.

Wednesday, 8 January, 2025

Armenia's government approves a bill to...

Armenia's government approves a bill to begin the process of joining the European Union, signaling a shift towards the West amid strained ties with Russia over security concerns with Azerbaijan. The move follows a successful petition, but Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warns the public not to expect rapid accession, as it requires harmonization with EU laws and approval via referendum. Russia opposes the move, citing Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Challenges include Armenia's lack of an EU border and its ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan.

Thursday, 9 January, 2025

President-elect Donald Trump receives no penalty...

President-elect Donald Trump receives no penalty in his hush money case, a historic judgment allowing him to return to the White House without legal constraints. The case, the first criminal prosecution and conviction of a former U.S. president, concluded via video appearance from Trump’s Florida estate, just 10 days before his second inauguration. Calling the case a “political witch hunt” and “an embarrassment to New York,” Trump insists he committed no crime, framing it as an attempt to damage his reputation ahead of the election, which he ultimately won.

Friday, 10 January, 2025

Thousands protest in Seoul as South Korea...

Thousands protest in Seoul as South Korea faces its worst political crisis in decades. Demonstrators, braving freezing temperatures, demand either the arrest or exoneration of suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is resisting a second arrest attempt over his short-lived martial law decree. Yoon's December 3 power grab has deepened the crisis. On Friday, his chief of security, Park Chong-jun, resigned after obstructing Yoon's arrest, warning against violence in future attempts to detain the embattled leader. Tensions remain high.

Saturday, 11 January, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom warns that the...

California Governor Gavin Newsom warns that the Los Angeles County wildfires could become the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, with damages surpassing $135 billion and at least 24 fatalities confirmed. The fires have burned over 40,000 acres, including 23,000 acres in Pacific Palisades and along the Pacific Coast Highway, and 14,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena. Containment remains low, with only 11% of the Palisades fire controlled. Fierce Santa Ana winds, reaching up to 70 mph, are expected to worsen conditions. Allegations of landlords price-gouging wildfire victims further compound the crisis.

Sunday, 12 January, 2025