In a statement, Icelandic broadcaster RÚV said the inclusion of Israel’s national broadcaster, KAN, has “created disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the general public.” RÚV had previously signaled its intention to sit out the contest but waited for its board of directors to formally review the issue on Wednesday.
A Widening Rift Across Europe
With Iceland’s withdrawal, five countries have now opted out of the 2026 competition, reflecting mounting tensions surrounding Israel’s involvement. The decision follows last week’s announcement confirming Israel’s place in the contest.
Earlier Signs of Protest
Ireland, one of the first to announce its boycott, cited similar concerns. Meanwhile, the broader debate has reignited questions about whether Eurovision—a show famously branded as apolitical—can remain insulated from international conflicts and public pressure.
Context from Recent Contests
The 2025 contest saw pop band VÆB represent Iceland, but their participation will not continue into next year’s event amid the widening protest.
Foreign tourists visiting the United States will soon be required to provide five years of social media history as part of President Donald Trump’s latest border and immigration crackdown.
In June, the State Department announced that certain visa applicants would need to make their social media profiles public. The latest move broadens those requirements, adding more scrutiny ahead of major international events in the U.S., including the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
A Broader Immigration Crackdown
Since taking office, Mr. Trump has enforced stricter entry rules, including orders for immigration authorities to screen visa and green card applicants for what the administration calls “anti-American activity.” Officials say such activity could be an “overwhelmingly negative factor” in immigration decisions. Similar social media checks already apply to some student and scholar visa applicants.
Recent Actions and Future Plans
Earlier this month, the administration froze all immigration applications from 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, while also canceling citizenship ceremonies nationwide. According to reporting, the White House is considering extending its travel ban to more than 30 countries following the alleged shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan national.
Calls for ‘Reverse Migration’
Mr. Trump has also urged what he described as “reverse migration,” stating on social media that he intends to “permanently pause migration from all Third World countries to allow the US system to recover.”
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It’s another gorgeous, sunny December day in Houston!
Temperatures will warm into the low 70s for afternoon highs under a perfectly sunny sky. The wind will turn to the north late in the day as a weak cool front blows in. This will only shave a few degrees off the lows and highs Thursday, which should be another sun-filled day. The Gulf breeze will return quickly behind this front, making for milder weather on Friday along with the return of dense fog.
Any other cold fronts on the way?
In fact, yes! Two more cold fronts will impact Southeast Texas over the next 10 days. A weak cool front will nose into Houston late Wednesday, but at this time we’re not expecting much of an impact from this front. Just expect similar temperatures between Wednesday and Thursday. It now looks like we’ll have to wait longer for the second cold front, which should blow in over the weekend, likely sometime on Saturday night. This stronger cold front with bitterly cold arctic air behind it will sweep across the eastern half of the country and brush by Southeast Texas, too. While the arctic air will likely miss Texas, there’s a low chance it could still get cold enough to bring freezing temperatures to our part of the state. That scenario is not currently reflected in our 10 day forecast, but there’s about a 30% chance we could get a light freeze. The cold air next week will also feature more clouds and a chance of rain.
When could we get our first freeze?
If we miss out on a freeze early next week, long range signals indicate we probably have to wait until late December for early January for a chance of freezing weather in Houston. On average, Houston historically gets its first freeze during the second week of December. This year it looks like we have to wait a bit longer.
When’s our next chance for rain?
After a dreary and damp end to last week, we’ve got a pattern flip on the way that will keep our forecast sunny and mild through mid-December. There’s a small, 20% chance for rain when a front arrives Friday into Saturday, but otherwise nothing more than that at this point.
Preliminary information suggests the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute rather than a random attack, an official briefed on the situation told ABC News.
Frankfort police responded to reports of an “active aggressor” near Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall, a residence building on the south side of campus. Two students were shot; one later died, while the other remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition.
The university said there is no ongoing threat to the campus community but confirmed the campus remains on lockdown as the investigation continues. Kentucky State is working with local and state authorities to determine what led to the violence.
“Let’s pray for all those affected,” Gov. Beshear wrote on X.
The university sits about 25 miles northwest of Lexington.
The high-profile legal battle between “It Ends with Us” co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has been pushed back by nearly two months. The trial, originally set for March 9, 2026, will now begin May 18, 2026, after Judge Lewis Liman informed both sides he will be in back-to-back criminal trials that month.
“Criminal trials take precedence,” Liman said during Tuesday’s hearing. Neither actor appeared in court.
The delay does not affect the substance of the case, according to a representative for Baldoni. Judge Liman will hear oral arguments on Jan. 22, 2026, regarding Baldoni’s request for summary judgment. His legal team has argued that Lively’s claims amount to “minor grievances,” while Lively’s attorneys insist she is entitled to a full trial.
Background on the Dispute
Lively is suing Baldoni for nearly $500 million, alleging retaliation and severe emotional distress after raising concerns about alleged misconduct during production of the film, which Baldoni directed. Her December 2024 complaint accused Baldoni and others of sexual harassment and attempting to smear her reputation.
Baldoni responded with multiple lawsuits of his own—one against The New York Times and another against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist—seeking hundreds of millions in damages. Judge Liman dismissed those suits in June 2025.
Baldoni’s attorney has said they plan to pursue “additional legal options,” while maintaining that Lively’s allegations are “factually baseless.” Discovery in Lively’s lawsuit is ongoing.
Representatives for Lively have not commented further on the newly delayed trial date.
A federal judge has cleared the way for the Justice Department to release grand jury materials and other previously sealed evidence from the criminal case of Ghislaine Maxwell, in compliance with the newly enacted Epstein Transparency Act.
U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled that the law “unambiguously applies” to the discovery materials prosecutors provided to Maxwell’s defense. His order modifies the existing protective order to allow public release of records, while requiring strict safeguards to protect victims’ identities and privacy.
Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for aiding Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of underage girls, saw much of the case file become public during her 2021 trial. But a significant amount of evidence—such as search warrant applications, travel and financial records, photos and videos from Epstein properties, and forensic extractions of electronic devices—remains sealed.
Under the bipartisan transparency law, the DOJ must make all Epstein-related materials public within 30 days, with limited exceptions for victim privacy and ongoing investigations. Engelmayer also added a requirement that the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York personally certify that all files are properly reviewed before release, citing past lapses in notifying victims.
The ruling immediately triggered demands from Congress. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, urged the DOJ to hand over the files, noting the committee already has a subpoena for all Epstein and Maxwell investigative records.
The judge also found that the transparency law overrides traditional grand jury secrecy rules, clearing the path for broad disclosure. He is now the second federal judge to do so in recent days, following a similar ruling in Florida involving Epstein’s earlier federal case. A third judge in New York is weighing another request tied to Epstein’s 2019 charges, filed shortly before his death in federal custody.
Maxwell’s lawyers warned that releasing untested grand jury materials could prejudice her longshot bid for a retrial, but they did not formally oppose the DOJ’s motion.
Attorney General Johel Antonio Zelaya said he instructed national authorities and Interpol to enforce a 2023 Honduran arrest order for alleged fraud and money laundering. The document, signed by a Supreme Court magistrate, requires immediate action if Hernández is released by the U.S.—a condition now met.
Hernández had been serving a 45-year sentence in the United States for conspiring with drug traffickers to send massive quantities of cocaine into the country.
Corruption Case and Political Tension
Hernández is among dozens linked to the Pandora case, a major corruption scandal alleging that government funds were funneled through NGOs to political campaigns, including his own.
His attorney called the renewed arrest push “strictly political,” accusing the ruling LIBRE party of trying to intimidate the former president as it heads out of power.
Trump’s Pardon Sparks Controversy
Trump granted Hernández a “full and complete pardon,” arguing he was treated unfairly and over-prosecuted. The former Honduran leader echoed that sentiment, saying he was “wrongfully convicted” and thanking Trump for “changing my life.”
U.S. prosecutors, however, portrayed Hernández as a key facilitator of the drug trade who used state security forces to protect traffickers while publicly posing as an anti-narcotics ally.
What Happens Next
Honduran authorities say they intend to detain Hernández once he re-enters their jurisdiction. The case now sits at the intersection of international law, domestic politics, and a high-profile presidential pardon that continues to reverberate across both countries.
Raul Malo, the powerhouse vocalist and co-founder of the Mavericks, died Monday at age 60 from cancer. The band confirmed his death, remembering him as a “force of human nature” whose talent shaped the group’s multicultural, genre-blending sound.
A Voice Like No Other
Known as “El Maestro,” Malo was celebrated for his operatic range and emotional delivery. His voice became the heart of the Mavericks, a band that fused country, rock, and Latin rhythms. Hits like “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” and “Here Comes the Rain” helped earn the group Grammy and CMA awards throughout the 1990s.
Roots and Rise
Born in Miami to Cuban parents, Malo formed the Mavericks in 1989 with Robert Reynolds and Paul Deakin. Their eclectic style stood out in Nashville, leading to breakout success with 1994’s What a Crying Shame. Malo later launched a solo career before reuniting with the band for a new era of acclaimed albums and global touring.
Health Battle
Malo was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2024 and later developed leptomeningeal disease. Even through treatment, he continued performing and kept fans updated, urging them to prioritize their health. By late 2025, his illness forced the cancellation of remaining tour dates.
Legacy and Final Message
The Mavericks continued their annual shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium just days before his passing, honoring Malo with emotional tributes. In a letter read at the event, Malo reflected on his life in music, thanking fans for sustaining him: “Thank you for giving my voice a place to live, even when my body cannot be the one delivering it.”
Malo is remembered for his unmatched voice, his cultural impact, and a career defined by boundless passion and joy.
President Donald Trump is threatening new tariffs on Mexico, accusing the country of failing to deliver water owed to the United States under a decades-old treaty. He argues the shortage is hurting Texas farmers and says a 5% tariff will be imposed if Mexico does not act immediately.
Dispute Over Water Obligations
Trump claims Mexico owes the U.S. more than 800,000 acre-feet of water after years of noncompliance. He is demanding the release of 200,000 acre-feet by December 31, with the rest to follow soon after. The water is part of a 1944 treaty that outlines shared responsibilities along the border.
Rising Tensions With Mexico
The warning comes as the administration reviews the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, prompting concerns that Trump could threaten broader trade ties. At the same time, he has suggested possible military action against drug cartels in Mexico—an idea Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected.
Key Statements
Trump said Mexico’s delays are “seriously hurting our beautiful Texas crops and livestock.” Sheinbaum responded that Mexico will cooperate on security but “does not accept any intervention by a foreign government.”
What’s Next
Talks over the treaty and trade issues will continue as farmers and industry groups urge a fast resolution. Mexico has maintained it will not allow U.S. military operations on its soil, while the Trump administration signals more economic pressure could be ahead.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It’s been a year since a 15-year-old boy was killed by a train in Houston’s East Downtown outside of Milby High School.
Police say Sergio Rodriguez was trying to cross the train track on his way to school when he died. Houston police said last year, around 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 9, a 15-year-old boy tried to cross in front of a slow-moving Union Pacific train, according to information provided by witnesses. The student was hit about 1/5 mile down from where the caution arms went down.
His death brought an outcry from the community for change and railroad safety.
Time continues to move forward, but the memories of what happened here a year ago are still etched in the hearts of this community.
A year later, a new sidewalk was built, and a chain-link fence now blocks foot traffic over the railroad tracks.
Some people in this community say more needs to be done.
Norma Gutierrez was sitting in her car on Monday afternoon, looking at the memorial, when she spoke to ABC13. Gutierrez says her grandson had been friends with Rodriguez since they were young. She says, while Sergio is no longer here, it’s important to honor his memory.
She says the last year hasn’t been easy for this community or his family. Gutierrez says a pedestrian bridge is the best course of action for this community to help prevent another tragedy.
Union Pacific, after 8 months of not running train operations during Milby High School’s drop-off and pick-up times, resumed regular operations in August.
Community members were hopeful they wouldn’t resume until the pedestrian bridge was up, but that didn’t happen.
Some people in this community say more needs to be done.
Norma Gutierrez was sitting in her car on Monday afternoon, looking at the memorial, when she spoke to ABC13. Gutierrez says her grandson had been friends with Rodriguez since they were young. She says, while Sergio is no longer here, it’s important to honor his memory.
She says the last year hasn’t been easy for this community or his family. Gutierrez says a pedestrian bridge is the best course of action for this community to help prevent another tragedy.
Union Pacific, after 8 months of not running train operations during Milby High School’s drop-off and pick-up times, resumed regular operations in August.
Community members were hopeful they wouldn’t resume until the pedestrian bridge was up, but that didn’t happen.
Gutierrez says it’s been a year, and nothing has changed. No bridge, no solutions, and the chain-linked fence put across the railroad tracks isn’t the solution, she says. She calls them a Band-Aid.
To this day, kids outside Milby High School still walk over the train tracks to get to and from school. A man who lives nearby says the train now passes the intersection of Broadway and Galveston around 3 p.m. every day.
Senator Carol Alvarado confirmed with ABC13 that a $10 million pedestrian bridge will break ground in the summer and tentatively be done before 2026 is over.
They’re calling it a priority project and plan to name it in Sergio’s memory. Houston Council Member Joaquin Martinez says the design for the pedestrian bridge by Milby High School is now at 30%, with construction anticipated to begin this coming summer.
ABC13 spoke to Sergio’s mom on Monday, and she says she went by the memorial on Monday morning. She says it’s too painful to talk about his death.
