Netanyahu Visits US, Minnesota Fraud, & Giza Pyramids Flyby

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Adam Rogers
December 30, 2025

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President Trump warned Iran of "very powerful" consequences Monday after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, saying Iran may be rebuilding nuclear sites after the US struck three facilities in June. Iran's adviser to the supreme leader responded that "any aggression will receive a strong, immediate response that goes beyond what the attacker expects." Trump said he remains open to talks with Iran despite the threats.
Trump also threatened Hamas with "hell to pay" if the group does not disarm under his Gaza peace plan. The ceasefire has stalled with little progress on Phase 2, which would see Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza and Hamas surrender weapons. More than 400 people have been killed in Gaza since the October truce, local officials say.
Netanyahu praised Trump as Israel's greatest White House ally and is expected to present options for striking Iran's ballistic missile program.

China deployed air, navy, and rocket forces on Monday for large-scale military drills around Taiwan, calling it a "stern warning" against separatism and external interference. The exercises included live-fire activities in the Taiwan Strait and blockade drills of key ports.
Taiwan placed its forces on high alert and condemned China as "the biggest destroyer of peace." The Defense Ministry said it deployed forces and conducted combat readiness drills in response.
The drills follow Beijing's anger over a proposed $10 billion US arms sale to Taiwan, which would be the largest ever, and statements by Japan's prime minister suggesting military involvement if China attacks Taiwan. Last week, China sanctioned 20 US defense companies and 10 executives.

Homeland Security agents raided over 30 sites in Minneapolis on Monday as part of what DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called a "massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud."
Federal prosecutors claim up to $9 billion in Medicaid fraud in Minnesota since 2018, though Gov. Tim Walz disputes the figure. More than 90 people have been accused or convicted of defrauding state programs. According to the US attorney's office, 82 of 92 defendants are of Somali descent.
The raids follow a viral video by YouTuber Nick Shirley showing daycare centers that appeared abandoned but were claiming hundreds of millions in state-distributed taxpayer funds.

A Utah judge ordered a closed-door hearing transcript and audio in the murder trial of Charlie Kirk’s killer to be made public with redactions, rejecting defense claims about privacy and fair trial risks. (More)

The US pledged $2 billion for UN humanitarian aid, down from past contributions of up to $17 billion annually. (More)

The Trump administration will distribute $50 billion to expand rural healthcare across all states, with each state getting roughly $200 million next year for workforce, facilities, and new care models. (More)

A train derailed in southern Mexico, killing 13 and injuring 98 of the 250 people aboard. (More)

Iran's president declared 'full-scale war' with the US, Israel, and Europe, calling it worse than the 1980s Iran-Iraq war that killed over a million. (More)

President Zelensky on Monday said Trump offered Ukraine a 15-year security guarantee, but he said he wants 50 to deter Russia from further attacks. (More)

US stock markets closed lower on Monday (S&P -0.35%, Nasdaq -0.50%, Dow -0.51%). Tech losses drove the market down. (More)

A Canadian mining company signed a White House deal to supply tungsten from South Korea, breaking US dependence on China's 80% control of the mineral vital for weapons and electronics. (More)

Global merger and acquisition deals hit $4.39 trillion in 2025, up 45% from last year and second only to 2021's record, driven by lower interest rates, AI growth, and lighter US regulations. (More)

Nuggets star Nikola Jokic left at halftime with a knee injury and will get an MRI on Tuesday after his knee buckled when a teammate stepped on his foot. (More)

Beyoncé became the fifth musician to reach billionaire status, joining Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and Rihanna after her Cowboy Carter tour earned $148 million this year. (More)

Olympic boxer Anthony Joshua survived a speeding car crash in Nigeria that killed two others when his Lexus hit a stationary truck while trying to pass another vehicle. (More)

Google may soon let you change your Gmail address without losing emails or files, with your old address staying active as a backup way to sign in. (More)

Scientists found 24 unknown bacterial species in NASA's ultra-clean spacecraft rooms and will test if they could survive a trip to Mars, raising concerns about contaminating alien worlds. (More)

Kids who got smartphones by age 12 had 31% higher depression risk, 40% higher obesity risk, and 62% higher risk of poor sleep than those without phones, per the American Academy of Pediatrics. (More)

Watch a skydiver proximity fly around the Great Pyramids of Giza.

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