Trump invites China’s Xi Jinping to attend inauguration, CBS News reports

Reuters,

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration on January 20, 2025, as reported by CBS News. The invitation was extended in early November, shortly after the U.S. presidential election. However, it remains unclear whether Xi has accepted the invitation. The Chinese embassy in Washington has not commented on the matter. Trump, in an NBC News interview, expressed that he “got along very well” with Xi, and their communication continues regularly. If accepted, this would mark a historic moment, as it would be the first time a Chinese leader, a major U.S. geopolitical rival, attends a U.S. presidential inauguration. Meanwhile, tensions remain between the U.S. and China over issues like tariffs and fentanyl trafficking, with Trump threatening to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods. Despite these differences, China’s Ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, reiterated the importance of continued dialogue between the two nations.

Syrians flock to morgues looking for loved ones who perished in Assad’s prisons

AP News,

In the aftermath of President Bashar al-Assad’s government collapse, many Syrians are rushing to morgues in search of missing relatives believed to have died in the regime’s prisons. Mohammad Chaeeb was among those who found his brother, Sami Chaeeb, at the morgue. The body was disfigured, a stark representation of the brutality in Syrian prisons. Thousands of detainees have been missing since the war began in 2011, and some are only now being identified, often months after their deaths. Many bodies showed signs of torture or bullet wounds, with some identified as having come from the infamous Saydnaya prison. Forensic workers are under immense pressure as they try to identify dozens of bodies brought in daily. Human rights organizations have reported that the regime systematically executed prisoners, subjecting them to torture, starvation, and disease. The situation remains dire, with many families still searching for their loved ones, hoping to find some closure.

Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US

AP News,

A federal appeals court panel has ruled to uphold a law that could lead to the banning of TikTok in the U.S. The law mandates that TikTok either sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a potential ban by mid-January 2025. The U.S. government has raised national security concerns, fearing that TikTok’s data collection could be used by the Chinese government for espionage. TikTok, which has denied these allegations, has vowed to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling marks another chapter in the ongoing legal battle, with TikTok’s team arguing that the law infringes on free speech. Despite TikTok’s arguments, the court found that the law was aimed at protecting U.S. citizens from foreign threats, rather than curbing free expression. As the legal challenges continue, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain.

Ingenuity team says goodbye to pioneering Mars helicopter

Space.com,

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter team bid farewell to the pioneering rotorcraft after it completed its final flight in January 2024. The 4-pound helicopter, which had a groundbreaking mission to demonstrate the feasibility of powered flight on Mars, has exceeded expectations, making 72 flights and covering over 10 miles during its operational time. However, the helicopter suffered damage during its last flight, grounding it permanently. Despite this, Ingenuity continues to contribute valuable data, now functioning as a stationary weather station and technology testbed. The team expressed pride in the helicopter’s accomplishments, including its extended mission, which aided the Perseverance rover in its exploration of Mars. Ingenuity will continue to gather data on Martian weather and surface conditions, providing insights for future Mars missions.

South Korean president defends martial law decree, defies pressure to quit

The Washington Post,

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has strongly defended his controversial decision to impose martial law last week, despite growing calls for his resignation. In a prerecorded address, Yoon insisted that his actions were necessary to address political gridlock in the National Assembly, which he claimed was paralyzing the government. His decree, which involved sending troops to the National Assembly, has sparked widespread protests and comparisons to authoritarian practices. Yoon, who is facing multiple investigations over the decree, challenged lawmakers to proceed with impeachment proceedings if they disagreed with his actions. As tensions rise, his political future remains uncertain, with his conservative party members increasingly divided on whether to support his resignation. Yoon’s presidency faces a critical juncture, as opposition factions prepare for another attempt at impeachment.

Large, ghostly white crab-like predator discovered at the bottom of the Atacama Trench

Live Science,

A new species of large, predatory amphipod has been discovered at the bottom of the Atacama Trench, one of Earth’s deepest oceanic trenches. The creature, named Dulcibella camanchaca, was found at a depth of nearly 26,000 feet (7,902 meters). This shrimp-like predator is the first known active predator of its size to inhabit the region’s extreme depths. The species was discovered during the 2023 Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System (IDOOS) Expedition, which explored the tectonic and oceanographic processes of the Atacama Trench. The discovery highlights the biodiversity in this remote, nutrient-rich habitat, known for its darkness and extreme pressure. Researchers are optimistic that further exploration of the trench will reveal even more unknown species and offer valuable insights into how life adapts to such extreme environments.