World’s largest sail-powered cargo ships offer a new way to travel
The world’s largest wind-powered cargo ships are now taking passengers. According to a report from CNN, the Artemis, which is one of the world’s largest ships with sails, just docked in New York after a 32-day test sail from northern France with four passengers in its newly available cabins.
How does the ship work?
The ship is run by the French startup company Transoceanic Wind Transport (TOWT), which now said it has cabins in its pair of cargo ships for people looking for a more carbon-conscious travel experience across the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the company, the ships reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90% compared to traditional cargo vessels.
Each ship features up to six double cabins for passengers, who will share the vessel with a handful of crew members and hundreds of pallets of goods, from wine to olive oil and more.
Travelers will be provided with meals, including fresh fish, internet service and no luggage limit. However, accommodations are not cheap, and while travelers are packing, they may as well pack their patience too.
What’s the cost?
A trip from France to New York will cost you nearly $2,700, and the voyage would be between 15 to 20 days, depending on weather and sea conditions.
So far, the company said that it has received inquiries from around 1,500 potential travelers.
What are the company’s motives?
The company also warns travelers not to expect their journey to be like a cruise, noting that the main point of the ship is transport cargo from point A to point B, with only around 4% of its revenue expected to come from climate-friendly travelers.
The French company said that right now, there are only a pair of ships available for passengers, the Artemis and Anemos. However, they said they plan to expand the fleet by six additional vessels by 2027.
The founders of TOWT said the ultimate goal, since the company’s inception in 2011, has always been to revolutionize the trade industry by decarbonizing it, but the shipping cost is higher than traditional vessels.
The company said shipping around a ton of goods from Europe to the United States will cost customers more than twice as much as an engine-powered vessel would charge. However, they emphasized that organic methods traditionally cost more than artificial ones.
Currently, international trade through cargo ships reportedly accounts for around 3% of fossil fuel emissions globally.
Former NYC fire chief pleads guilty in bribery scheme with other ex-chief
A former New York City Fire Department chief pleaded guilty to conspiracy, admitting that he and others agreed to accept nearly $200,000 in bribes to speed up safety inspections. Anthony Saccavino, who was the head of the department’s Bureau of Fire Prevention, entered the plea in a Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, Jan. 30.
Saccavino and Brian Cordasco, another former high-ranking fire prevention chief, are accused of creating a “VIP lane” for faster service by the fire inspection bureau that could only be accessed with bribes.
The indictment accuses the chiefs of joining former firefighter-turned-businessman Henry Santiago Jr.’s fire safety company as secret partners in 2021.
Prosecutors said Santiago promised his clients high-end restaurant visits and hotel stays, offering his conspirators a cut of the money for fast-tracking the permit process for a total of $190,000 in bribes over two years.
According to the indictment, he delivered the bribe payments over steakhouse dinners and at the Fire Prevention Bureau’s Brooklyn office.
Santiago pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in September 2024.
Cordasco also pleaded guilty in October 2024, just three weeks after his arrest.
Both Cordasco’s and Saccavino’s charges carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Saccavino entered his guilty plea as part of a plea agreement of $57,000, which is the total of payments he personally received during the two years.
Saccavino’s sentencing is scheduled for May, while Cordasco’s sentencing is scheduled for March.
What other corruption issues are happening in NYC?
The indictment of the fire chiefs happened as the city faced multiple federal corruption investigations of Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, leading to several resignations.
Adams pleaded not guilty to charges alleging that he accepted about $100,000 of free or discounted international flights, hotel stays and meals in return for illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and members of the Turkish business community.
Now, The New York Times reported that senior Justice Department officials under President Donald Trump have had discussions with federal prosecutors about the possibility of dropping their corruption charges against Adams.
Trump has the power to pardon Adams and said in December that he was considering it for the embattled mayor.
U.S. Judge Sidney Stein handed down the sentence on Wednesday, Jan. 29, in a Manhattan district court following Menendez’s conviction in July on all 16 felony counts he faced, including bribery and fraud.
He also became the first U.S. senator to be found guilty of acting as a foreign agent and resigned from Congress following his conviction.
Stein told Menendez during the sentencing, “You were successful, powerful. You stood at the apex of our political system.”
Stein added, “I don’t know what led you to commit these crimes.”
The judge ordered Menendez to surrender to authorities by June 6 to begin his prison term so that he can attend his wife Nadine Menendez’s corruption trial in March.
Following the sentencing, Menendez spoke to reporters outside the courthouse and called the trial politically motivated.
“This whole process has been nothing but a political witch hunt by the Justice Department and prosecutors who were more interested in political scalps, preparing to run for political office like Damian Williams,” said Menendez.
Menendez also echoed some of President Donald Trump’s past claims about the Southern District of New York.
“Welcome to the Southern District of New York. The wild west of political prosecutions,” Menendez said. “President Trump is right. This process is political, and it’s corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system.”
Menendez vowed to appeal the sentence.
Before Menendez, Stein sentenced two New Jersey businessmen connected to Menendez’s bribes. Fred Daibes was sentenced to seven years in prison, and Wael Hanna was sentenced to more than eight years behind bars.
Menendez’s defense had sought just over two years in prison for the former senator, but after the businessmen’s sentences, they requested no more than eight years in prison for Menendez.
Nadine Menendez, whose trial was delayed due to a breast cancer diagnosis, is scheduled to begin her trial on March 18 in connection with her husband’s corruption charges.
She has pleaded not guilty for her alleged role in the bribery and fraud scheme.
Lunar New Year 2025 marks centuries-old tradition and Year of the Snake
Lunar New Year 2025 is here. Millions worldwide are celebrating the Year of the Wood Snake with fireworks, red envelopes and family gatherings.
People in China, Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries with large Asian communities observe the holiday, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. In the U.S., cities like San Francisco and New York have also embraced the festivities.
Unlike the Gregorian New Year, Lunar New Year follows the lunar calendar. It begins on the first new moon and lasts 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
Each Lunar New Year is associated with an animal from the Chinese zodiac. The system follows a 12-year cycle, and 2025 marks the return of the Snake.
In addition to the animal sign, each year also has an element –– wood, fire, earth, metal or water. This year’s combination, the Wood Snake, is linked to strategy, transformation and intuition.
Some view the Year of the Wood Snake as a time for growth and renewal, like a snake shedding its skin. Others believe it may bring challenges.
According to Hong Kong-based feng shui consultant Thierry Chow, this zodiac sign can bring conflicts and unpredictability. In an interview with CNN, Chow said, “The snake is a zodiac sign that can cause significant clashes and conflicts. We need to be mindful of accidents as we approach the Snake Year. The overall atmosphere in the world will become slightly more chaotic.”
Lunar New Year traditions vary by country
While Lunar New Year originated in China, different cultures celebrate in unique ways.
China: Families exchange red envelopes, or hongbao, filled with money to bring luck.
Vietnam (Tết): Homes are decorated with peach blossoms, and families gather to honor ancestors.
The Philippines: Families celebrate Media Noche, a midnight feast meant to bring prosperity.
San Francisco welcomed Lunar New Year this year with a firecracker display featuring 10,000 explosions. Meanwhile, New York became the first state in the U.S. to close schools for the holiday, marking a historic moment for Asian American recognition.
Harvey Weinstein’s rape retrial set, pleads for earlier date as health fails
Harvey Weinstein will return to the courtroom for a retrial on rape charges five years after his initial conviction. The former Hollywood producer was sentenced to 23 years in prison in 2020. However, the verdict was later overturned after New York’s appellate court ruled the trial judge made an error.
Appeal and new indictment
The court granted Weinstein’s appeal, arguing that women who testified about separate allegations unrelated to the case should not have been allowed to. A grand jury indicted Weinstein, now 72, in September on new charges. They include an allegation from a woman who claims he forced her to perform sexual acts in 2006.
Weinstein’s defense asked the judge to throw out the new conviction. His defense claimed the prosecution was using it to strengthen its original case against their client. The judge dismissed the motion.
Weinstein pleads for an earlier trial date
During a court appearance Wednesday, Jan. 29, Weinstein was seen in a wheelchair. Reports indicate he has been diagnosed with a chronic form of leukemia, heart disease and diabetes while incarcerated at Rikers Island. Citing his health condition, Weinstein requested an earlier trial date, stating he does not believe he has much time left and wants to see justice done before his health deteriorates even further.
The judge scheduled the retrial for April but said an earlier trial date could be considered if both the prosecution and defense agree.
Ongoing legal battles
More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and assault over the past three decades. Weinstein denies the allegations, claiming the encounters were consensual.
He was a central figure in the #MeToo movement, which brought to the fore stories of sexual harassment and assault from countless women.
In addition to the New York retrial, Weinstein’s legal team is working to appeal his 2022 conviction in Los Angeles, where he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault.
Trial date set in Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively’s legal battle
After weeks of legal back-and-forth, a judge set a trial date for the high-profile dispute between actors Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. The ongoing legal battle has included allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation and defamation.
Timeline of events
The public first noticed tension between the co-stars during their “It Ends With Us” promotional tour in August 2024. Fans pointed out that Lively and Baldoni had little interaction, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes issues.
On Dec. 20, Lively officially filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. She accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and claimed he orchestrated a smear campaign against her. Soon after, Baldoni was dropped by his talent agency, WME, while multiple public figures supported Lively.
Just six days later, on Dec. 26, Baldoni responded with a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times. He alleged the outlet cherry-picked details from Lively’s complaint while ignoring evidence that could contradict her claims.
By Dec. 31, Lively escalated the legal battle, filing a federal lawsuit against Baldoni, his production company and his PR team. She accused them of retaliation and a coordinated effort to harm her reputation.
Ryan Reynolds named in lawsuit
On Jan. 16, Baldoni countersued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. His claims included civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy.
According to Baldoni’s legal team, Reynolds actively supported Lively’s alleged efforts to damage Baldoni’s reputation. While Reynolds was not involved in the film, Baldoni alleges he participated in a meeting during filming to discuss Lively’s concerns about Baldoni’s behavior.
Raw footage released
On Jan. 21, Baldoni’s legal team released 10 minutes of unedited footage from the set of “It Ends With Us.” The move was intended to counter Lively’s allegations.
The footage shows Lively and Baldoni filming and interacting outside of their characters. At multiple points, Baldoni appears to lean in for a kiss, while Lively repeatedly suggests they chat during the scene to make it appear more romantic.
They also discuss their respective partners. However, the video contains moments Lively referenced in her complaint as inappropriate.
One specific moment shows Baldoni commenting on Lively’s scent during a slow dance scene:
“I’m probably getting spray tan on you,” Lively says.
“It smells good,” Baldoni responds.
“Well, it’s not that — it’s my body makeup,” says Lively.
Lively claims the interaction was unscripted and inappropriate for the scene.
Baldoni’s late-night voice memo
On Jan. 27, The Daily Mail obtained a voice memo Baldoni sent Lively at 2 a.m. In the recording, he apologized for his behavior during a reported argument about the rooftop scene in “It Ends With Us.”
Trial date set
The legal battle will now head to court. A judge set a trial date for March 9, 2026, when the various lawsuits will be addressed.
According to the Associated Press, the judge overseeing the case is likely to combine the lawsuits into a single trial.
The first major immigration raids in New York City since President Donald Trump took office happened Tuesday, Jan. 28. Newly-confirmed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was there documenting the enforcement.
Noem shared photos on X, showing her wearing a protective vest as she joined officers from multiple federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
She also posted a video of an arrest in the Bronx as federal agents took a high priority target linked to the Tren de Aragua gang into custody.
According to ABC New York, the target was wanted for kidnapping, assault and burglary in connection with a home invasion at an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado, in December 2024.
“Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets,” Noem said.
Happening now, #DEANewYork participated in an operation supporting @DHSgov, along with our @TheJusticeDept & other federal law enforcement partners, with their #immigration enforcement efforts which resulted in the arrest of one for kidnapping, assault & burglary charges. pic.twitter.com/tXSVxJ6Kpb
The DEA’s New York Division confirmed it was working with ICE and other federal law enforcement, sharing a photo of the same arrest.
Happening now, #DEANewYork participated in an operation supporting @DHSgov, along with our @TheJusticeDept & other federal law enforcement partners, with their #immigration enforcement efforts which resulted in the arrest of one for kidnapping, assault & burglary charges. pic.twitter.com/tXSVxJ6Kpb
Additional raids have taken place over the past few days in several cities, including Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Miami.
New York City also seen other immigration raids in the week since Trump took office, but Tuesday’s were part of a larger escalation.
How is NYC Mayor Eric Adams responding to raids?
Mayor Eric Adams said city officials coordinated with ICE on handling migrant criminals. The city also worked to settle worried immigrant New Yorkers. If
“Mayor Adams has made clear that New York City is committed to working with our federal partners to fix our broken immigration system and focus on the small number of people who are entering our localities and committing violent crimes,” New York City Hall said in statement Tuesday.
What happens next?
Border Czar Tom Homan told ABC “This Week” on Sunday, Jan. 26, that the administration is only targeting violent undocumented immigrants.
“Right now, it’s concentrating on public safety threats, national security threats,” Homan said. “That’s a smaller population. So we’re going to do this on a priority basis. That’s president trump’s promise. But as that aperture opens, there’ll be more arrests nationwide.”
ICE officials told The Washington Post they would move toward increasing the daily arrest goal from a few hundred people to between 1,200 and 1,500 people per day.
Meanwhile, immigration advocates are working to inform immigrants of their rights.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association has guidelines posted online reminding immigrants they don’t have to open their doors when officials knock unless officers have a valid search warrant.
Visitors lining up to get a whiff of rotten-smelling corpse flower
People are waiting hours at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to experience one of nature’s rarest and stinkiest events. The corpse flower, nicknamed “Smelliot” by workers, is in bloom, and visitors are lining up to brave its infamous stench.
“It smells like feet, cheese, and rotten meat. It’s just like the worst possible combination of smells,” said Elijah Blades, a visitor drawn to the rare event.
The rare corpse flower only blooms for a few days
The corpse flower, native to Indonesia, blooms for just two to three days and can grow up to 12 feet tall. According to Chris Sprindis, a gardener at Brooklyn Botanic Garden who spoke with AP News, it’s not just one flower but an “inflorescence,” meaning it contains hundreds of tiny male and female flowers inside its massive structure.
Visitors have described its smell in vivid terms, ranging from “rotting corpse” to “trash-like” and even “like a zoo.” While unpleasant to humans, the stench serves a vital purpose in nature.
Why does it smell like rotting food?
The foul odor is designed to attract specific pollinators. Unlike bees and flies, which are drawn to sweet or pleasant smells, certain beetles are naturally attracted to the scent of rotting food and dead carcasses. The corpse flower’s smell helps draw in these beetles for pollination.
A rare experience for people in the US
Corpse flowers are rare in the United States. Few botanical gardens have one, making Smelliot’s bloom at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden a special attraction. The flower’s short bloom period adds to the excitement, as visitors have a limited window to see and smell this unique spectacle.
“It really smells like a rotting corpse,” said Michele Olveira, another visitor. Despite the unpleasant smell, the corpse flower continues to captivate crowds.
If you want to experience this stinky spectacle, you’ll have to act fast. The bloom won’t last long, and visitors agree it’s an unforgettable –– if smelly –– experience.
US woman now longest living person with pig organ in medical breakthrough
A watershed moment in medical history occurred on Saturday, Jan. 25, as an Alabama woman became the longest-living pig organ recipient ever. Towana Looney is reportedly healthy and living a normal life with her new pig kidney at more than 60 days and counting after her transplant.
Groundbreaking milestone
“We’re hitting a really important milestone,” Dr. Robert Montgomery said. “Towana will be the first human to receive a pig organ and have it function past two months.”
Looney’s recovery is offering hope to those on transplant waiting lists and scientists who are working to make animal-to-human transplants successful.
Montgomery said, “If you saw her on the street, you would have no idea that she’s the only person in the world walking around with a pig organ inside them that’s functioning.”
Looney said she feels healthy and that she’s able to keep a brisk walking pace. Before the surgery, she said she was the one struggling to keep up, but now much has changed.
Why it matters
Only four other Americans have ever received transplants from gene-edited pig organs, two hearts and two kidneys, and none have lived more than two months.
Montgomery said, “We’re going past that two-month mark. Her kidney function is absolutely normal, and the biopsies that we’ve done from the kidney look great. We’re quite optimistic that this is going to continue to work and work well for a significant period of time.”
Doctors expect Looney will be able to leave New York, where she is undergoing checkups, for her home in Alabama in about a month.
As Looney’s recovery continues, scientists are continuing to genetically alter pig organs so that they are more humanlike, in order to address a dire shortage of transplantable human organs.
More than 100,000 Americans are reportedly on the U.S. transplant list, most of them in need of a kidney, and thousands die waiting.
Only special cases so far
Patients who have been given pig organs to this point are special cases, which are allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people with no other options.
Colombia accepts deported migrants after tariff showdown with Trump
The showdown between the Trump administration and Colombia over deported migrants is over, but what happens to the tariffs the president threatened to impose? And much-needed rain in Southern California brings new concerns to the region. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.
Colombia accepts deported migrants after tariff showdown with Trump
The Trump administration claimed a quick and decisive victory after Colombia agreed to allow the U.S. to transport repatriated migrants back to the South American country.
Early Sunday, Jan. 26, Colombia blocked two U.S. military planes carrying deportees from landing. Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the U.S. “can’t treat Colombian migrants like criminals.”
President Donald Trump responded to the move on Truth Social, announcing “emergency 25% tariffs” on all imports from Colombia — which would be raised to 50% in a week, a travel ban for Colombian citizens and a revocation of visas for Colombian officials in the U.S.
Within hours, Petro threatened a 25% retaliatory tariff increase on the U.S. in a series of social media posts objecting to the use of military planes and the treatment of migrants.
However, by late Sunday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Colombia’s government agreed to the “unrestricted acceptance” of migrants from Colombia “without limitation or delay.”
Leavitt added tariffs and financial sanctions will be held in reserve but not signed. Still, the visa sanctions against Colombian officials and stricter customs inspections of Colombian nationals and cargo ships, ordered by Trump earlier Sunday, will remain in effect “until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned.”
Leavitt’s statement said other countries should take notice and fully cooperate in accepting its deportees who were in the U.S. illegally.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire moves forward after weekend issues
Early Monday, Jan. 27, Qatar announced an agreement was reached to release an Israeli civilian hostage and allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that the hostage release, which is set for Thursday, Jan. 30, will include civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud and female soldier Agam Berger.
As of Monday morning, Palestinians are now allowed to return to northern Gaza on foot. They were set to start returning on Saturday, Jan. 26, but Israel put that on hold because of Yehoud, whom Israel said should have been released on Saturday.
However, Israel did release 200 Palestinian prisoners Saturday as part of the second phase of an exchange in the ceasefire deal that saw Hamas release four female Israeli soldiers.
Trump weighed in on the issue over the weekend, suggesting most of Gaza’s population be temporarily resettled in other countries, such as Egypt and Jordan, to “just clean out” the war-ravaged enclave. Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority rejected his idea.
Bird feathers found in engines of crashed South Korean plane: Report
Authorities investigating last month’s deadly passenger jet crash at South Korea’s Muan airport said they found evidence a bird may have caused the plane to go down.
A preliminary report, released Monday, said duck feathers and blood stains were found in both engines of the jet that crashed into a concrete structure that houses a “localizer,” killing 179 of the 181 people on board. The localizer aids in the navigation of an aircraft approaching the runway.
The report said investigators will examine the jet engines and concrete structure further to determine the role each played in the deadliest plane crash on South Korean soil.
Rain brings relief to wildfire-devastated Los Angeles area
Thousands of South California residents displaced by deadly wildfires hope to return to their homes, or what remains of them, Monday, as the area sees its first significant rainfall in months.
A slow-moving rainstorm settled over Southern California on Sunday, bringing much-needed relief as three major wildfires, now mostly contained, scorch the already devastated area.
However, this morning, major concerns about mudslides, flash flooding, and toxic ash emerged. Experts said rain that falls on recently burned areas picks up contaminants from ash, charred vehicles, and other debris and can carry pollutants into the ecosystem and water supply.
Forecasters said rain showers will continue into Monday afternoon.
New CIA analysis says COVID-19 outbreak ‘more likely’ came from lab leak
The CIA now says the COVID-19 pandemic “more likely” started with a lab leak rather than originating from animals. However, the agency said it would continue evaluating any new intelligence reporting.
On Saturday, a CIA spokesperson said the pandemic’s “research-related origin” is “more likely than a natural origin based on the available body of reporting.”
However, analysts said they have “low confidence” in that assessment, despite former CIA Director Bill Burns telling the agency it needed to look at the existing evidence again and come down on one side or the other.
The decision to release that assessment marks one of the first made under the CIA’s new Trump-appointed director, John Ratcliffe, who took over the agency on Thursday, Jan. 23.
The country has argued over the origin of COVID-19, with other agencies like the FBI and the Energy Department believing the coronavirus most likely came from a leak in a lab in Wuhan, China, and not the theory of an infected animal at an outdoor market, which other intelligence agencies have favored.
Chiefs to meet Eagles in Super Bowl rematch
Super Bowl LIX is now set for Sunday, Feb. 9, in New Orleans. The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will play for the title in a rematch from two years ago.
The Chiefs will attempt to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
The defending champs knocked off the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in a thriller at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes ran for two touchdowns while its defense held off Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills led going into the fourth quarter 22-21, but Mahomes led his team down the field twice, including a game-winning field goal by Harrison Butker with just over three minutes left.
In the first game of the day, the Philadelphia Eagles put up 55 points — the most ever in a conference championship game — and routed the upstart Washington Commanders 55-23.
Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley ran for three touchdowns, including a 60-yarder on the team’s first play from scrimmage. Quarterback Jalen Hurts also showed up to play, running for three touchdowns, as well.