Automotive

NHTSA opens probe of over 877K GM vehicles for engine failures

Jan. 27, 2025

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a safety probe on Jan. 16 for an estimated 877,710 General Motors vehicles after receiving reports of connecting rod bearing failures that have led to catastrophic engine damage in some cases. The vehicles include model year 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade SUVs equipped with L87 6.2L V8 engines. The probe comes after the NHTSA’s ODI received 39 complaints and additional field reports alleging engine failures, some of which have occurred without any prior symptoms noticed by drivers.

Automotive

Toyota Motor North America COO retires

Jan. 27, 2025

Toyota Motor North America EVP and COO Jack Hollis retired from the company effective Jan. 22 following a more than three-decade career with the automaker, according to a press release. Hollis informed the company some time ago about his retirement plans, according to the release. He joined the company in 1992, holding numerous leadership roles for Toyota, Lexus and Scion.

Automotive

Hyundai’s revenue jumped 11.9% in 2024

Jan. 27, 2025

Hyundai Motor Co. sold 4.1 million vehicles globally in 2024, a 1.8% year-over-year decrease, the company reported in its full-year and Q4 business results on Jan. 23. The automaker’s Q4 revenue jumped 11.9% YoY to 46.62 trillion won ($32.5 billion), with an operating margin of 6.1%. The U.S. market was one of Hyundai’s biggest global sales regions, with retail sales of 988,000 vehicles in 2024, a YoY jump of 9%, according to its regulatory filing. However, the automaker said its YoY operating income fell by 17.2% in Q4 due to higher warranty costs and bigger incentives to boost sales.

Entertainment

Sabrina Brier dishes on her viral TikTok videos, funny new audiobook 'That Friend'

Jan. 26, 2025

Sabrina Brier is that friend. The one who's a little too invested in your friendship, a little too mad at your ex, a little too ... everything. At least that's her persona on TikTok and her new audiobook, "That Friend" (Simon & Schuster), out Tuesday. Brier's audiobook, a fictional story that she also narrates, tells the story of Sabrina, a woman navigating that postgrad, amorphous life in New York with her three best friends, all of whom seem to have it more together than she does. As she chases success as a podcaster, she clashes with friends and emotional chaos ensues.

Sports

Kylian Mbappé scores his first hat-trick for Real Madrid

Jan. 26, 2025

The Frenchman’s first season in Spain has been disrupted by injury and dips in form, but he looked backed to his best as he powered Real Madrid to a four-point lead at the top of the La Liga table. It took 30 minutes for Mbappé to open the scoring against Valladolid, playing a quick exchange of passes with Jude Bellingham before slotting the ball into the net. He got his next goal from a superb counter-attacking move in the second half, receiving the ball from Rodrygo inside the Valladolid box and firing a shot into the far corner. With victory now seemingly secured for Madrid, Mario Martín was sent off after a high challenge on Bellingham and Mbappé was able to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

Science & Tech

Alabama woman becomes longest living recipient of pig organ transplant

Jan. 26, 2025

An Alabama woman passed a major milestone Saturday to become the longest living recipient of a pig organ transplant — healthy and full of energy with her new kidney for 61 days and counting. “I’m superwoman,” Towana Looney told The Associated Press, laughing about outpacing family members on long walks around New York City as she continues her recovery. “It’s a new take on life.”

Science & Tech

FDA recommends pet food companies revisit safety plans amid bird flu outbreak

Jan. 26, 2025

As a growing number of cats have gotten sick or died after consuming raw pet food or raw milk contaminated with the H5N1 virus, health officials have advised pet food companies to take extra precautions to protect against bird flu. In recent guidance, the Food and Drug Administration suggested that pet food manufacturers take precautions in their food safety plans, such as “seeking ingredients from flocks or herds that are healthy” and “taking processing steps, such as heat treatment, that are capable of inactivating viruses.”

International News

Trump says he wants to 'clean out' Gaza and move Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt

Jan. 26, 2025

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he has asked the king of Jordan to take in more Palestinians, adding that Palestinians should leave the Gaza Strip to “clean out” the enclave. The president’s comments, which key figures from Israel’s far right have taken as a boost, came as thousands of Palestinians waited to return to their homes in northern Gaza after the Israeli government accused Hamas of breaching a ceasefire agreement and refused to open crossing points.

International News

Israeli forces kill 15 people in south Lebanon as residents try to return, Lebanese authorities say

Jan. 26, 2025

Israeli forces killed 15 people in south Lebanon on Sunday as a deadline for their withdrawal passed and thousands of people tried to return to their homes in defiance of Israeli military orders, Lebanese authorities said. Israel said Friday it would keep troops in the south beyond the Sunday deadline set out in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that halted last year’s war with Hezbollah, saying Lebanon had not yet fully enforced terms requiring south Lebanon to be free of Hezbollah arms and the Lebanese army to be deployed.

Sports

Jannik Sinner wins Australian Open for 2nd straight time

Jan. 26, 2025

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner defeated German Alexander Zverev in straight sets to win his second consecutive Australian Open title on Sunday, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Sinner once again solidified his top ranking in tennis. He’s been No. 1 in the world since June with no signs of stopping. He didn’t face a break point, and had more winners (32-25) and fewer unforced errors (45-27).