New research suggests volcanic eruptions in the mid-14th century may have triggered Europe's devastating Black Death pandemic. Tree ring analysis reveals unusually cold summers before the plague outbreak, likely caused by volcanic ash blocking sunlight and causing crop failures. This forced European traders to seek food across the Black Sea, accidentally bringing plague-carrying fleas back home.

Black Death Eruption

Amazon is reportedly considering launching its own postal service to compete with USPS as negotiations over their partnership stall. The deal, worth $6 billion annually to USPS, expires in October 2026. While Amazon delivered 6.3 billion parcels last year, it still relies on USPS for final delivery to many addresses across America.

Amazon Eyes Deliveries

Federal agents arrested Brian Cole Jr., a 30-year-old Virginia man, for allegedly planting pipe bombs outside both party headquarters the night before January 6, 2021. The viable explosive devices were discovered during the Capitol riot, diverting law enforcement resources. The breakthrough arrest concludes a nearly five-year investigation involving thousands of video files and interviews.

Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber

Malaysia will resume searching for missing Flight 370 this month, over a decade after the jet vanished with 239 people aboard. The government promised US robotics company Ocean Infinity $70 million if they find wreckage during their 55-day search of a 5,800-square-mile Indian Ocean area starting December 30.

MH370 Flight Search

Federal immigration agents launched enforcement operations in New Orleans and Minneapolis-St. Paul, targeting unauthorized immigrants including those with criminal records. Officials named 10 men in Louisiana for deportation, citing crimes like domestic abuse and robbery. The crackdown follows similar efforts in other major cities and comes amid broader immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

New Orleans, Minnesota Crackdown

A Colombian family has filed the first legal challenge against US airstrikes targeting alleged drug boats, claiming their relative was an innocent fisherman killed in September. The complaint accuses Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of ordering strikes without knowing who was aboard. Over 80 people have died in 21 confirmed airstrikes since September under the Trump administration.

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