President Joe Biden will have a significant opportunity to articulate to the American people why he merits another four years in office when he delivers the annual State of the Union address on Thursday.
Stephen Curry orchestrated a thrilling overtime victory for the Golden State Warriors against the Boston Celtics, scoring a game-high 33 points. In a crucial moment with the shot clock winding down, Curry nailed a three-pointer, propelling the Warriors to a 132-126 triumph at San Francisco's Chase Center. Despite trailing until the second minute of overtime, the Warriors secured their third consecutive win, building momentum under coach Steve Kerr. The Boston Celtics, leaders of the Eastern Conference, saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.
Members of Poland's opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, unhappy with the new coalition government's efforts to depoliticize public media, have taken over the headquarters of the state TV company, TVP. About 100 PiS MPs chose a sit-in protest at TVP instead of participating in a parliamentary resolution on Tuesday night advocating for independence, objectivity, and pluralism in public TV. PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski joined the protest, pledging its continuation with teams of MPs operating in shifts. The new culture minister responded by dismissing the current heads of TVP, Polish Radio, and the state news agency PAP, appointing new management boards.
Chinese activist Li Qiaochu has faced trial on charges of "inciting subversion of state power," part of China's broader crackdown on dissent. Li's lawyer, Li Guobei, reported being denied entry to the closed-door trial held in Linyi, Shandong. The 32-year-old, in custody since March 2021, potentially faces a prison term of five years or more. The trial concluded without a verdict, as reported by the FreeLiqiaochu Facebook page, a platform tracking updates on the case.
Kerala state in India has called for caution in response to a surge in Covid-19 cases but emphasized that there is no need for panic. The uptick is linked to the identification of JN.1, a sub-variant of the virus, which has previously been identified in various countries, including the United States and China. The World Health Organization (WHO) assures that all authorized Covid-19 vaccines remain effective against JN.1.
A multitude of individuals gathered to commemorate the life of Barry Humphries, the renowned entertainer behind Dame Edna Everage, at a state memorial in the Sydney Opera House. Humphries, who passed away in April at the age of 89 due to complications from hip surgery, had built a global reputation over seven decades as a prominent raconteur and comedian.
Zahara, the acclaimed South African Afro-pop singer also known as Bulelwa Mkutukana, has passed away, as announced by the country's Culture Minister. The 36-year-old artist had been hospitalized, reportedly due to liver complications, with the government providing assistance to her family. Zahara gained widespread recognition in 2011 with her beloved album, Loliwe, celebrated throughout Africa.
Henry Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State, a pivotal figure in shaping US foreign policy during the Cold War, has passed away at the age of 100. His influential role during the Nixon and Ford administrations extended beyond his time in office, as he continued to be a consultant for generations of leaders. Known for his Realpolitik style, Kissinger faced controversy, particularly for his involvement in the bombing campaign against Vietnamese communists in Cambodia, with critics accusing him of war crimes.
Recently, the world was captivated by the surprising and innovative move made by King Charles during his visit to South Korea. In a bold departure from traditional state banquets, the King took the opportunity to showcase the global phenomenon that is K-pop.
Over 100 individuals are actively searching for 9-year-old Charlotte Sena, who disappeared while on a camping trip at Moreau Lake State Park in upstate New York, according to Governor Kathy Hochul. On Saturday evening, Charlotte was biking with friends, and on her last loop, she wanted to ride alone. Her absence was noticed within 15 minutes, leading to immediate search efforts by her family and other campers. She was reported missing to the authorities shortly after.