As we do every week, we’ve collected the top news stories and compiled them on one page. Digital Journalists this week reported on international developments, went behind the scenes of big events, reported on unusual discoveries and more.
We also highlight some of the major topics Digital Journalists have been covering recently. Note you can see the trending topics at the top of any page on our news network, in the black bar.
Hot topics on Digital Journal
• Sony hack news
• Colombia news
Top Digital Journal Reports
10 Fundamental Facts about Taylor John Williams of ‘The Voice’ (Includes interview and first-hand account) by Earl Dittman
A member of The Voice’s Top 5, the Team Gwen singer / songwriter reveals which song he wants to sing with President Obama, how he feels when he doesn’t wear a hat, his love for an iconic psychedelic rock band and the Christmas tune he’d like to remake.
Op-Ed: Faroe Islands — Foreign activists provoke patriotic reaction (Includes interview and first-hand account) by Sasha Abdolmajid
The radical actions of foreign opponents to the pilot whale hunt serve to trigger patriotic counter-actions in the Faroe Islands. The majority of Faroese critics of the drive hunts agree the behaviour of many foreign activists is counter-productive.
5 Fundamental Facts on Matt, Craig, Chris & Damien of ‘The Voice’ (Includes interview and first-hand account) by Earl Dittman
You probably thought you knew everything about Matt McAndrew, Craig Wayne Boyd, Chris Jamison and Damien — the four finalists of ‘The Voice.’ As the countdown to the finale continues, the Final 4 offer up 5 truths you should know about each of them.
Review: Jo Weil stuns on ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ cover (Includes first-hand account) by Markos Papadatos
German actor Jo Weil may be known for his acting and modeling skills, but he proves that he is one talented singer on his newest Christmas song.
Warwick Rowers bare it all to make this world a better place (Includes interview and first-hand account) by Earl Dittman
Through the sales of their 2015 naked calendar and their charity initiative Sport Allies, the members of England’s University of Warwick’s rowing team are raising awareness of sport’s need to be more inclusive by combating bullying and homophobia.
Top Images
People throw fake dollars during a demonstration outside Istanbul's Courthouse to protest raids targeting a newspaper and television channel linked to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, on December 18, 2014
Ozan Kose, AFP/File
Supporters of Zaman daily newspaper hold placards reading 'coup against democracy-dont forget 17-25 December' outside Istanbul's courthouse during a protest on December 18, 2014 against raids on opposition media
Ozan Kose, AFP
Victims of historic abuse Fritz (L) and Charles Probst attend the handover of a petition as part of a public initiative calling for justice for victims of abuse on December 19, 2014 in Bern
Fabrice Coffrini, AFP
Victims of historic abuse pose for a picture during the handover of a petition as part of a public initiative calling for justice for victims of abuse on December 19, 2014 in Bern
Fabrice Coffrini, AFP
European Council President Donald Tusk gives a joint press conference at the EU headquarters in Brussels on December 18, 2014
John Thys, AFP
Turkish students scuffle with police and security guards during a protest against the government and corruption outside the presidential palace in Ankara on December 17, 2014
Adem Altan, AFP
Classmates and relatives of the 43 missing students protest in front Acapulco's Mayor Luis Walton's SUV on December 19, 2014
Pedro Pardo, AFP
Cuban students march in Havana, on December 17, 2014, to celebrate after Washington released three Cuban spies, as the US and Cuba brought their bitter Cold War stand-off towards a historic close
Roberto Morejon, AIN/AFP
Alan Gross, and his wife Judy arrive for a press conference after being released by Cuba on December 17, 2014 in Washington,DC
Saul Loeb, AFP
People stand outside the Little Havana restaurant Versailles, as they absorb the news about the United States Cuba policy on December 17, 2014 in Miami
Joe Raedle, Getty/AFP
A street vendor waits for customers in a street in Havana, on December 18, 2014
Adalberto Roque, AFP
Cubans celebrate in Camaguey as Washington and Havana brought their bitter Cold War stand-off towards a historic close by agreeing to revive diplomatic ties on December 17, 2014
Roberto Morejon, AIN/AFP
View of a street in Havana, on December 18, 2014
Adalberto Roque, AFP
People stand outside in Little Havana on December 17, 2014 in Miami, Florida
Joe Raedle, Getty/AFP
Cubans watch Cuban president Raul Castro on TV while he addresses the country, on December 17, 2014 in Havana
Yamil Lage, AFP
Pope Francis waves to the crowd during his general audience at St Peter's square on December 17, 2014 at the Vatican
Alberto Pizzoli, AFP
Palestinian protesters take cover from tear gas thrown by Israeli security forces during clashes following a demonstration against Israeli settlements in the West Bank village of Turmus Aya, north of Ramallah on December 19, 2014
Abbas Momani, AFP
A Palestinian wearing a mask runs with a tear gas canister during clashes with Israeli forces, on December 16, 2014 at the Qalandia checkpoint
Abbas Momani, AFP/File
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem, on December 17, 2014
Gil Cohen Magen, AFP
The entrance of Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California is seen December 16, 2014
-, AFP
Sony Pictures has been thrown into damage control mode by the unflattering leaks
Frederic J. Brown, AFP/File
The entryway to Sony Pictures Entertainment is seen in Los Angeles, California on December 4, 2014
Frederic J. Brown, AFP/File
Security is seen outside the Theatre at Ace Hotel before the premiere of the film “The Interview” in Los Angeles, California on December 11, 2014
, AFP/File
Security is seen outside the Theatre at Ace Hotel before the premiere of the film “The Interview” in Los Angeles, California on December 11, 2014
, AFP/File
Workers remove a poster-banner for “The Interview” from a billboard in Hollywood, California, on December 18, 2014
Robyn Beck, AFP
Workers remove the poster for “The Interview” from a billboard in Hollywood, California on December 18, 2014
Veronique Dupont, AFP
US President Barack Obama speaks during a press conference in the briefing room of the White House December 19, 2014 in Washington, DC.
Brendan Smialowski, AFP
US President Barack Obama speaks during a press conference in the briefing room of the White House December 19, 2014 in Washington, DC
Brendan Smialowski, AFP
US President Barack Obama and his daughter Sasha walk to Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House December 19, 2014 in Washington, DC
Brendan Smialowski, AFP
Over 1,200 journalists had signed up to attend Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual press conference in Moscow, on December 18, 2014
Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual press conference in Moscow, on December 18, 2014
Alexander Nemenov, AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual press conference in Moscow, on December 18, 2014
Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP
Pakistani human rights activists burn an affigy representing a terrorist as they take part in an anti-Taliban protest in Karachi, on December 18, 2014
Asif Hassan, AFP
Pakistani human rights activists light lamps as they take part in an anti-Taliban rally in Karachi, on December 18, 2014
Asif Hassan, AFP
Members of the right-wing Hindu Sena party burn a poster of Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif (C) and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, accused of planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks, outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on December 19, 2014
Chandan Khanna, AFP
Pakistan has declared three days of national mourning over the school massacre in Peshawar, which has sparked national outrage and candlelight vigils in major cities such as this one in Karachi, on December 17, 2014
Asif Hassan, AFP
Pakistani students pray for the victims of army-run school following an attack there by militants in Karachi on December 17, 2014
Rizwan Tabassum, AFP
Pakistani mourners pray during the funeral ceremony for victims of an attack by Taliban militants at an army-run school in Peshawar, on December 17, 2014
A Majeed, AFP
Pakistani volunteers move the coffin of a student from a hospital following an attack by Taliban gunmen on a school in Peshawar, on December 16, 2014
A Majeed, AFP
Men wheel an injured student to a hospital in the city of Peshawar, northwest Pakistan on December 16, 2014 following an attack by Taliban gunmen on a school
A Majeed, AFP
A Pakistani mother comforts her injured son a day after Taliban gunmen attacked a school in Peshawar, on December 17, 2014
Hasham Ahmed, AFP
Volunteers and officials help an injured student in a hospital in the city of Peshawar, northwest Pakistan following an attack by Taliban gunmen on a school on December 16, 2014
A Majeed, AFP
This screengrab taken from AFP footage shows a child receiving treatment at a hospital following an attack by Taliban gunmen on a school in Peshawar, on December 16, 2014
Aftab Ahmed, AFP
Pakistani policemen conduct an investigation at the site of a Taliban attack on a school in Peshawar, on December 18, 2014
A Majeed, AFP
A Pakistani journalist films a bullet-riddled wall at the army-run school a day after an attack by Taliban militants in Peshawar, on December 17, 2014
Farooq Naeem, AFP
Pakistani soldiers stand guard near a bloodied floor at an army-run school a day after an attack by Taliban militants in Peshawar, on December 17, 2014
Farooq Naeem, AFP
Pakistani rescue workers inspect the debris in an army-run school a day after an attack by Taliban militants in Peshawar, on December 17, 2014
A Majeed, AFP
A Pakistani soldier shows a burnt room to media at an army-run school a day after an attack by Taliban militants in Peshawar, on December 17, 2014
Farooq Naeem, AFP
Photographers take pictures inside a classroom an army-run school that was attacked by Taliban militants in the city of Peshawar, north-west Pakistan on December 18, 2014
A Majeed, AFP/File
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (L) and his wife Margaret lay wreaths at a makeshift memorial near the scene of a fatal siege in Sydney's financial district on December 16, 2014
Peter Parks, AFP
Visitors queue up to lay flowers at a makeshift memorial near the scene of a fatal siege in the heart of Sydney's financial district on December 16, 2014
Peter Parks, AFP
Visitors walk past flowers at a makeshift memorial near the scene of a fatal siege in the heart of Sydney's financial district on December 17, 2014
Peter Parks, AFP
A cardboard tray with two coffee cups shows photos of Katrina Dawson (left) and Tori Johnson, the two hostages killed in a siege in the heart of Sydney's financial district among flowers at a makeshift memorial near the scene on December 17, 2014
William West, AFP
Prime Minister Tony Abbott (C) arrives to pay respects and lay wreaths at a makeshift memorial near the scene of a fatal siege in the heart of Sydney's financial district, on December 16, 2014
Peter Parks, AFP/File
New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione visits a memorial at the scene of a dramatic siege which left two hostages dead, in Sydney on December 16, 2014
William West, AFP
Visitors look at flowers and messages laid at the barrier to the crime scene which has been turned into a makeshift memorial after a fatal siege in the heart of Sydney's financial district, on December 17, 2014
Peter Parks, AFP/File
Hostages run out of a cafe in the central business district of Sydney on December 16, 2014
Peter Parks, AFP
Armed police evacuate employees from the offices next to a cafe in the central business district of Sydney on December 15, 2014
Saeed Khan, AFP
Armed police carry out an operation outside the cafe where a gunman had taken people captive in the central business district of Sydney on December 15, 2014
Saeed Khan, AFP
An injured hostage is carried out of a cafe in the central business district of Sydney, on December 16, 2014
Peter Parks, AFP
An injured hostage is carried out of a cafe in the central business district of Sydney, on December 16, 2014
Peter Parks, AFP
Armed police are seen outside a cafe in the central business district of Sydney, on December 15, 2014
Saeed Khan, AFP
Onlookers gather in Martin Place in the central business district of Sydney during a hostage seige on December 15, 2014
Peter Parks, AFP
Two hostages (L) run for cover behind a policeman after leaving a cafe where people are being held captive by a gunman in the central business district of Sydney on December 15, 2014
William West, AFP
One of the hostages runs towards police after leaving a cafe where a gunman is holding an unknown number of people in the central business district of Sydney on December 15, 2014
Saeed Khan, AFP
A hostage runs out of a cafe in the central business district of Sydney on December 16, 2014
Peter Parks, AFP
The Duke’s Belma Nurkic drives past Alexa Hayward, the leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball for a layup in the Duke’s 40-point win over Saint Francis Thursday. Steve Pope/Digital Journal
Kyasia Dueling completes a layup late in the first half. Steve Pope/Digital Journal
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs: Grand Chief Derek Nepinak
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Miss South Africa and 2014 Miss World Rolene Strauss reacts after being crowned during the grand final of the Miss World 2014 pageant in London on December 14, 2014
Leon Neal, AFP
A panoramic flight along the spectacular Adriatic coastline.
In the Media
Photo of Bill Clinton with blonde held in his ‘grasp’ goes viral by JohnThomas Didymus
A photo showing former President Bill Clinton with a young blonde that emerged on Twitter Wednesday has gone viral, with netizens speculating, in the light of “slick Willy’s” previous acts, about the “creepy familiarity” of his pose with the woman.
NASA’s Voyager 1 is riding a huge cosmic tsunami by Sravanth Verma
NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft, the first and only object made by humanity to reach interstellar space is still riding a cosmic tsunami it hit in February, 2014.
Mayweather dealing with murder-suicide, prepares for Pacquiao by Marcus Hondro
The father of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Floyd Mayweather Sr., once a pro boxer himself, said that he’s spoken with his son since the murder-suicide of Earl Hayes and Stephanie Moseley. He said his son is dealing with it as best he can.
Rock with 30,000 diamonds found but their origin is still unknown by Stephen Morgan
A mysterious Russian rock has been discovered containing 30,000 tiny diamonds. The rock itself may actually be worth a minimal amount, but its strange form adds to the mystery of how diamonds are actually created.
Dick Cheney admits some CIA terror detainees were innocent by Brett Wilkins
Former US Vice President Dick Cheney acknowledged for the first time on Sunday that some of the men and boys detained as terrorism suspects after 9/11 were in fact innocent.
Op-Ed: Why fight fans do not believe Mayweather will fight Pacquiao by Leo Reyes
Prior to Floyd Mayweather’s latest statement about his intention to fight Manny Pacquiao on May 2, fight fans have given up hope of seeing them in the ring after five years of waiting for the fight they all wanted to see.
How Tim Bradley took judges’ verdict in seemingly flawed scoring by Leo Reyes
Former WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley must have recalled how fight fans reacted to his controversial victory over Manny Pacquiao in their first encounter back in 2012 after the judges ruled a draw verdict in his fight against Diego Chaves.
Exercise key factor of 5 to reduce risk of Alzheimer’s Disease by Marcus Hondro
A charity in the U.K. has reviewed previous studies on Alzheimer’s Disease and concluded that five lifestyle choices are key to significantly reducing the risk of getting Alzheimer’s. Exercise is likely to do the most benefit.
Op-Ed: Why Floyd Mayweather would prefer to fight Khan over Pacquiao by Leo Reyes
If Floyd Mayweather can find justification or a way out of his commitment to face Manny Pacquiao on May 2, chances are he might pick Amir Khan over the Filipino star as his next opponent for a less risky fight.
15-year-old boy dies after early morning Surrey assault by Marcus Hondro
A 14 and a 15-year-year-old boy were set upon by a gang in Surrey at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday and the 15-year-old has died from his injuries. The parents of the deceased boy, Dario Bartoli, have been notified.
Op-Ed: Why fight fans doubt Floyd Mayweather’s sincerity by Leo Reyes
While attending a CBS/Showtime sponsored boxing event in San Antonio, Texas, unbeaten boxing champion Floyd Mayweather announced his acceptance of Manny Pacquiao’s challenge to face him in the ring, potentially ending five years of failed negotiations.
Prince George is cute as a button in new Royal Christmas photos by Marcus Hondro
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released new photos for Christmas of their Royal baby, Prince George. The little guy is seen sitting about a courtyard at Kensington Palace and is very cute indeed.
New detail in death of Teagan Batstone, 8, as Mom weeps in court by Marcus Hondro
Results of an autopsy on the body of eight-year-old Teagan Batstone are not public but a new detail in the tragedy is now known. Teagan’s Mom, Lisa Batstone, went to a house near where her car was and asked the person at the door to call police.
Antipsychotic drug warning by Tim Sandle
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert about an antipsychotic drug called ziprasidone. The drug is associated with a serious skin reaction that can progress to affect other parts of the body.
Top Blogs
Power Users
- Marcus Hondro
- Tim Sandle
- Karen Graham
- Can Tran
- Brett Wilkins
- Markos Papadatos
- Ken Hanly
- Sravanth Verma
- Leo Reyes
- Steve K
- Megan Hamilton
- Tim O’Brien
- Earl Dittman
- Robert Weller
- Sarah Gopaul
- Micki Hogan
- Nate Smith
- Richard Bass
- JohnThomas Didymus
- Paul Bradbury
