United States

Denmark will summon the U.S. ambassador in Copenhagen after former President Donald Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, the autonomous Arctic territory within the Danish realm. Danish officials plan to seek clarification on the envoy’s mandate, its impact on existing defense and foreign policy arrangements, and how Washington will coordinate with Copenhagen and Greenland’s self-rule government. The move highlights Greenland’s strategic role in the Arctic, ongoing U.S. military and diplomatic interests in the region, and Denmark’s constitutional responsibility for foreign affairs and security on behalf of the island.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has tripled its “exit bonus” for certain undocumented migrants who agree to leave the country voluntarily by December 31, 2025. Eligible migrants can now receive $3,000 for self-deportation, as part of federal efforts to manage immigration enforcement and reduce reliance on formal deportation proceedings. The program operates within existing immigration law governing voluntary departure and remains limited to migrants who meet specific criteria set by authorities.

Waco Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley filed a federal lawsuit in December 2025 seeking to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The suit challenges the authority of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct to discipline her for refusing to perform same-sex weddings while continuing opposite-sex ceremonies. Represented by attorney Jonathan Mitchell, Hensley asks federal courts to restore state control over marriage laws and to bar sanctions against her, positioning the case as a potential vehicle for Supreme Court review of same-sex marriage precedent.

A YouTube content creator’s investment livestream appeared for at least eight minutes on the official White House live video page on Thursday night, temporarily replacing standard programming on whitehouse.gov/live. The unexplained incident raised questions about how the external stream accessed the site, who was responsible, and whether it involved a technical error or unauthorized intrusion. Officials did not immediately identify the creator, announce an investigation, or confirm any cybersecurity impact, and the livestream ended with the page returning to normal operations.

Houston Landing, a nonprofit news outlet in Houston, Texas, shut down operations on May 15, 2025, citing financial challenges after more than two years of independent, nonpartisan reporting. Launched in February 2023, the newsroom produced thousands of stories that reached millions of readers and recently received dozens of journalism awards recognizing the impact of its coverage. CEO Peter Bhatia confirmed the closure in a farewell note, expressing gratitude to readers, supporters and staff while emphasizing the lasting influence of the outlet’s work.

The Philippines finished sixth overall at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, held from Dec. 9 to 20, 2024, with a 50-73-153 gold-silver-bronze haul for 276 total medals. Host Thailand dominated the 10-nation meet, while Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore completed the top five. Gilas Pilipinas swept the men’s and women’s basketball golds, and the Philippine women’s football team captured the country’s first SEA Games football title. Athletics, shooting, swimming, triathlon, and modern pentathlon led the medal charge, as the Blu Girls and Blu Boys completed a softball sweep and the men’s baseball team secured a third straight crown.

Governor Greg Abbott joined Jewish community members in Austin, Texas, for an annual Hanukkah ceremony that took on new significance after the Bondi Beach mass stabbing attack in Sydney, Australia, which injured the brother of a Texas rabbi. The event featured traditional prayers, menorah lighting, increased security, and remarks from the victim’s brother, as participants emphasized community solidarity, religious observance, and coordination with local authorities. Organizers reported heightened attendance and planned additional Hanukkah events and outreach across Texas in response to the attack.